Southerland Leads Statesmen Past Denmark, 83-70

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA — Led by Kenneth Southerland with 25 points, the Richard Bland College basketball team made it two straight victories by defeating Denmark Technical College, 83-70, on Saturday afternoon at Statesman Hall.  

The Statesmen are now 9-8 for the season and 2-1 in the Region X Conference. The team continues in their forage through Region X Conference games with 11 more to go, and the spirit to win. RBC will next host nationally-ranked USC Salkehatchie at 4 pm on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Statesman Hall. 

On the outset of the tip-off, the Statesmen asserted themselves and took control of the ball leading to the first score of the game. With a 7-point lead, RBC fends off Demark until the scoreboard read 11-6, with the Statesmen in the lead. Halfway through the first half, Corbin Slayton dribbles down the court bringing the Statesmen to a 10 point lead over Denmark. 

Seconds later, Darius Jones skillfully receives the rebound from Denmark and drives the ball into the Statesmen zone, however, Denmark gets the best of Jones, and RBC unsuccessfully defends a 3-point shot. Even with that slight oversight, thirty seconds later the Statesmen gain possession of the ball and Antonio Puaauli-Pelham secures a 3-point shot for RBC—continuing the Statesmen lead. Ten minutes before the end of the first half, Slayton attempts a layup and misses with Kenneth Southerland on the rebound and scores. Wrapping up the first half, Jared Watkins secures the last basket for the Statesmen, maintaining a 12-point lead. Minutes into the second have Watkins leads the Statesmen on a good start for the half.

The second half presented more of a challenge to the Statesmen, as Denmark became more aggressive. However, halfway through the second half, Southerland sets Jones up for a 3-pointer, showing Denmark RBC's strength. In the last seconds of the game, Derrick Redmon scored two 2-pointers, just before Puaauli-Pelham received a foul shot, in which he secured both; scoring the last shot of the game for the Statesmen. Top scorers include Antonio Puaauli-Pelham, Kenneth Southerland, Corbin Slayton, and Jared Watkins.

Head men's basketball coach Andrew Lacey praised his team's effort saying, "the win today came from our ability to secure possessions and out-score Denmark in the paint. I couldn't be prouder of our guys."