Southerland Drops 30 Points in Howard Upset

by Alden Di Dio

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA - Down 26-24 to Howard Community College late in the first half, sophomore Kenneth Southerland came onto the court for Richard Bland and completely changed the course of the game by dropping 30 points. Despite Southerland coming in late, he led the Statesmen to their eleventh victory of the season. 

After Southerland entered play, the Statesmen were trailing 42-34 by the end of the first half. Six minutes after the second half began, a free throw by Southerland tied the game up at 47-47. The Statesmen were down again 49-47 until Jared Watkins tied the game with a lay up. 20 seconds later, Terry Gray Jr. put up another two points to make the score 51-49. However, the Dragons sank a three point jumper to go out in front of the Statesmen. Southerland tied the game up for RBC another two times in the second half until Darius Jones scored two three pointers in a row to break through the Howard defense. From this point on, the game was controlled by the Statesmen. 

With RBC on top 82-74, the Howard Community College bench was issued a technical foul which gave Derrick Redmon and Southerland the opportunity for another four points. Redmon and Southerland then scored three out of the four free throws which added some insurance to the Statesmen's lead. 

At the final buzzer, the Statesmen came out on top 85-79 over the Dragons. RBC moves to 11-12 on the season and will travel to USC Salkehatchie on Saturday, February 15 at 4 p.m. to hopefully add another win. 

Head coach for the Statesmen, Andrew Lacey, said the game on Tuesday allowed the team to "regroup" after the rough decision against Caldwell. Lacey added that RBC's ability to "stay out of foul trouble" and Southerland's efforts "to take pressure off the guards" was instrumental in the win.