No. 9 Richard Bland Defeats Vance-Granville (N.C.) 99-68

HENDERSON, N.C. -- Freshman Travius Smith/Norfolk scored a season-high 16 points to lead No. 9 Richard Bland College to a 99-68 Region X Conference men's basketball road victory at Vance-Granville (N.C.) Community College on Wednesday night in Henderson, North Carolina. Sophomores Gevon Arrington/Petersburg and Harrison Mitchell/Hampton each added 12 points, while classmate Jaquan Wooten/Kinston, North Carolina had 10 points for the visiting Statesmen (12-2, 5-0), who led 41-29 at halftime en route to their eighth-straight win. TyQuon Reid scored a game-high 24 points for the host Vanguards (1-11, 0-7).

Richard Bland, ranked ninth in this week's NJCAA Division II Top 20 Poll, trailed 21-18 midway through the first half before outscoring Vance-Granville 23-8 to take control and lead 41-29 at the intermission. Arrington and freshman Deon Joyner/North Charleston, South Carolina scored eight points and seven points, respectively, during the opening 20 minutes. The Statesmen continued their dominance in the second half, outscoring the Vanguards 58-39, to provide for their final 31-point margin of victory. Smith scored all 16 of his points after the break, while Mitchell added nine second-half points.

Travius Smith led Richard Bland with his season-high 16 points, adding five rebounds and two steals. Arrington and Mitchell each finished with 12 points for the Statesmen, with Mitchell adding six rebounds. Wooten had 10 points, while Joyner and freshman Robert Smith/Hampton each contributed eight points. Sophomore Deandre Clark/Orange and freshman Brandon Henry/Chester each added six points.

Reid led Vance-Granville with his game-high 24 points. NiQuon Cousins added 14 points for the Vanguards.

Richard Bland will now be idle through the upcoming Christmas and New Year's holiday break, returning to action at home against Fayetteville Technical (N.C.) Community College on Saturday, January 7, at 2 p.m. at Statesman Hall.