No. 8 Richard Bland Runs Past Visiting Bryant & Stratton 81-66

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Freshman Tim Bing Jr./District Heights, Maryland scored a season-high 21 points to lead No. 8 Richard Bland College to an 81-66 NJCAA Region 10 men's basketball victory past Bryant & Stratton College on Saturday afternoon at Statesman Hall.  Sophomore Myles Markland/Petersburg added 13 points, and classmate Gevon Arrington/Petersburg had 10 points, six rebounds and six assists for the nationally-ranked Statesmen (23-4, 15-2), who improved to 11-1 at home this season.  Romello Anderson scored 19 points for the visiting Bobcats (16-12, 12-8).

Richard Bland, No. 8 in this week's NJCAA Division II Top 20 Poll, jumped ahead at 10-4 with 14:21 on the first-half clock.  Bing made back-to-back three-point field goals early for the Statesmen.  Bryant & Stratton used a 14-7 run to lead 18-17 at 9:32, forcing a timeout by the hosts.  Sophomore Jaquan Wooten/Kinston, North Carolina scored inside and converted a free throw for an old-fashioned three-point play to put Richard Bland ahead 22-19 at 8:08, and consecutive baskets from freshman Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York had the Statesmen ahead 26-21 at 6:48.  A jumper by Markland made it 37-31 late in the opening half before the Bobcats closed to within 37-35 at the intermission.

Bryant & Stratton took its final lead at 41-39 with 18:37 remaining, and it was tied for the final time at 43-43 with 17:14 on the clock.  Richard Bland, however, scored nine unanswered points to lead 52-43 with 14:10 left, getting five quick points from Markland, including a three-pointer.  The Bobcats managed to get to within 54-51 at 10:25, but the Statesmen put together a 19-5 run to take their largest lead at 73-56 with 4:57 left to play.  Bing scored eight points during the outburst, including two more three-pointers.  The two teams played about even to the final horn to provide for the final 15-point margin of victory. 

Bing led Richard Bland with his game-high and season-high 21 points, including 5-8 three-pointers, adding four assists.  Markland added 13 points and four assists off the bench for the Statesmen.  Arrington finished with 10 points, six rebounds and a game-high six assists.  Hicks contributed eight points and a game-high three steals, while sophomore Harrison Mitchell/Hampton and freshman Stanley Taylor/Petersburg each had seven points -- with Taylor also adding six rebounds.  Wooten finished with six points, a game-high and season-high 16 rebounds, adding a game-high four blocks, as well.  Richard Bland shot 49% (32-65) from the field, including 32% (7-22) on three-pointers, and 39% (10-26) at the free throw line.

Anderson led Bryant & Stratton with his 19 points, while Ezekiel Ingram and DeOndre Carter-Dupree added 11 points and 10 points, respectively.

Richard Bland and Bryant & Stratton were playing for the seventh time in the sport of men's basketball, and the Statesmen now lead the series at 4-3. 

Richard Bland remains at home for its final two Region 10 games to complete the regular season, including Vance-Granville (N.C.) on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m., followed by Wake Tech (N.C.) next Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.  The Vance-Granville contest has been designated as the annual Hall of Fame/Alumni Night, while the Wake Tech contest is Sophomore Night for the Statesmen.