SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. — Sophomore Deandre Clark/Orange scored a team-high 22 points to lead No. 14 Richard Bland College to a 118-71 men’s basketball victory past Southside Virginia Community College during the first game of the Richard Bland Classic on Friday night at Statesman Hall. Freshman Stanley Taylor/Petersburg added a season-high 18 points, while sophomore Jaquan Wooten/Kinston, North Carolina posted his fifth double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the host Statesmen (5-2) against the visiting Force (0-4), who were led by Anthony Harris with a game-high 25 points. Richard Bland will play NJCAA Division I Cape Fear (N.C.) Community College on day two of the tournament … Saturday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. at Statesman Hall.
Richard Bland, ranked No. 14 in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll, jumped out to an early 13-2 advantage against Southside Virginia and never looked back … getting four quick points from Clark and freshman Tim Bing Jr./District Heights, Md. The Statesmen extended their margin to 37-9 at 10:06 following a three-point field goal and a layup by Clark. Richard Bland led 48-23 at 5:19 after another three-pointer by Clark and a free throw by sophomore Harrison Mitchell/Hampton. The hosts took a commanding 64-36 lead at halftime behind 20 first-half points from Clark, along with 10 points by Taylor, off the bench.
Richard Bland continued its distinct advantage against SVCC in the second half, leading 78-45 with 14:55 remaining after a three-pointer by freshman Brandon Henry/Chester. The Statesmen added to the margin during the duration of the contest, leading 90-51 at 11:29 following a layup by Bing, 106-60 at 7:11 after back-to-back layups from Taylor, 111-62 at 4:38 following a pair of free throws by freshman Travius Smith/Norfolk before freshman Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York closed out the scoring with two free throws with 58-seconds on the clock.
Clark led Richard Bland with his team-high 22 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists, as well. Taylor added his season-high 18 points, along with six rebounds, while Wooten finished with his double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, adding six blocks. Mitchell posted his first double-double of the season with season-highs of 13 points and 13 rebounds, the latter also a game-high. Sophomore Gevon Arrington/Petersburg had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Smith had a season-high 11 points, off the bench. Bing finished with eight points, seven rebounds and game-highs of seven assists and three steals. RBC shot 52% (43-82) from the field, including 54% (7-13) on three-pointers, and 56% (25-45) at the free throw line. The Statesmen out-rebounded SVCC, 78-24, and took a 66-26 advantage in points scored in the paint.
Harris led Southside Virginia with his game-high 25 points, including 6-14 three-pointers, while Malik Woodfolk added 11 points. The Force shot 37% (26-71) from the field, including 23% (6-26) on three-pointers, and 54% (13-24) at the line.
Richard Bland was playing SVCC for the first-time ever in the sport of men’s basketball.
Saturday’s game against Cape Fear has been designated as Salute to the Brave: First Responders’ Day, as all area First Responders: police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians in attendance will be recognized.
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