No. 7 Richard Bland Falls To No. 10 Highland (Kan.) 88-66

DANVILLE, Ill. -- Sophomore Tim Bing Jr./Suitland, Maryland scored 21 points but No. 7 Richard Bland dropped an 88-66 decision to No. 10 Highland (Kan.) in the first round of the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship on Tuesday night at the Mary Miller Center in Danville, Illinois.  Freshman Marvin Trotman/Virginia Beach added 12 points off the bench, and sophomore Stanley Taylor/Petersburg had 11 points for the Statesmen (22-10) in the game played at Danville Area Community College.  Holden Redparth scored a game-high 25 points for the Scotties (26-7).

Richard Bland fell behind early, trailing 18-3 after Highland made four quick three-point field goals, while getting 10 points from Taiveyhon Mason.  The Scotties increased their advantage to 27-8 at 12:42, following three-straight baskets by Redparth.  The Statesmen, however, battled back with a 15-4 run to close within 31-23 with just under five minutes left until halftime.  Trotman sparked the quick run with two of his three first-half three-pointers.  It was still a three-possession game at 36-27 with 1:59 remaining, but Highland closed with 11 unanswered points to lead 47-27 at the intermission.

Highland took its largest lead of the second half at 65-37 with 15 minutes left to play as Redparth completed a four-point play when fouled while making a three-pointer.  Richard Bland rallied back to within 73-52 at 9:10 after a layup by Bing, and a basket inside from freshman Tyrell Mendenhall/Newberry, South Carolina had the Statesmen within 74-54 at 8:38.  Unfortunately, Richard Bland would get no closer as the Scotties extended their lead to 86-58 toward the final 22-point margin.

Bing led Richard Bland with his team-high 21 points, adding nine rebounds.  Trotman had 12 points for the Statesmen, including 4-6 three-pointers, while Taylor finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for his eighth double-double this season.  The Statesmen shot 39% (25-64) from the field, including 25% (6-24) on three-pointers, and 71% (10-14) at the line.

Redparth led Highland with his game-high 25 points, adding six rebounds while Mason had 22 points and four assists.  The Scotties shot 50% (33-66) from the field, including 41% (12-29) on three-pointers, and 67% (10-15) at the line.

Richard Bland and Highland were playing for the first time, as the Scotties now lead the series, 1-0.

Richard Bland will play No. 15 Southern Maryland (19-13) in the consolation round of the national tournament on Thursday, March 22, at 12 p.m. ET in Illinois.  A win would advance the Statesmen to another consolation contest on Friday, March 23, at 12 p.m. ET, while a loss would eliminate them from the tournament.  The Hawks fell to No. 2 Pima (Ariz.) 108-84 in another first round game on Tuesday.  Richard Bland defeated Southern Maryland earlier this season by a score of 101-85 on November 10, 2017.