Men’s Basketball Hosts 3rd Annual Statesmen Classic

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Men's Basketball team moves to 0-3 overall after hosting Camp Community College in their season opener on Wednesday, November 1^st, and hosting Harcum College and Sandhills Community College in the 3^rd Annual Statesmen Classic. Richard Bland hosted the event at the new Henrico Sports and Events Center and brought in 10 teams total for the event.

In the team's home opener, Richard Bland fell in a nailbiter to the Hurricanes of Camp Community College, 62-66. Martin Kawa led the way for Richard Bland with 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Ibrahim Kourouma added 13 points, six rebounds, five steals,one assist, and one block, while Mekhi Phipps-Dedrick added 11 points, two rebounds, and one steal. Brandon Hendryx led the boards with eight, and also tallied seven points. Richard Bland shot 69.2% from the charity stripe, 20.0% from the perimeter, and 34.5% from the field.

In game one of the Statesmen Classic, Richard Bland fell to Harcum College, 67-79. After trailing 28-41 at the half, the Statesmen outscored the Bears by one in the second half, but it would not be enough at the final whistle. Kawa once again led with 21 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one block. Off the bench, Gerald Dottin tallied 14 points, two rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal. Larry Howell was credited with 12 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block. Jalen Smith led the boards bringing down seven, as well as adding seven points, one assist, and one block. Richard Bland shot 71.4% from the charity stripe, 43.8% from the perimeter, and 33.3% from the field.

In game two of the Statesmen Classic, Richard Bland fell to Sandhills Community College, 73-90. Kawa led the scoring with 22 points and also brought down eight rebounds, and had three assists, and three steals. Howell added 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Off the bench, Tim Robinson chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal. Richard Bland shot 62.5% from the charity stripe, 30.8% from the perimeter, and 39.7% from the field.

The Richard Bland College men's basketball team next travels to Chesapeake College on Wednesday, November 8^th for a 6pm nonconference contest.