SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. — Sophomore Robert Smith/Hampton scored a game-high 30 points to lead NJCAA Division II preseason No. 2 Richard Bland College to a 92-76 Region 10 men’s basketball victory past Pitt (N.C.) Community College on Wednesday night in Statesman Hall. Freshman Ryan Jones/Smithfield added a career-high 16 points for the nationally-ranked Statesmen (7-2, 2-0), while sophomore Tre’ Patterson/Richmond had his first collegiate double-double with career-highs of 13 points and 11 rebounds, and classmate Tim Bing Jr./Suitland, Maryland posted 13 points and nine rebounds for the hosts. Brandon Faison scored 26 points for the visiting Bulldogs (5-2, 1-1). Richard Bland will play its next three Region 10 games on the road in North Carolina, beginning at Catawba Valley on Saturday, December 2, at 3 p.m. in Hickory.
Richard Bland took an early 9-2 lead at 16:30 on a layup from Bing, who scored four quick points along with a conventional three-point play by Jones. It was 13-4 at 15:05following a fast break slam dunk by Smith with the assist from Patterson, who made a steal on the play. Patterson’s putback of his own miss at 12:36 made it 20-9, and the margin was 34-16 at 8:10 after an offensive rebound basket by sophomore Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York. Pitt closed to within 37-24 at 5:45, but the Statesmen used an 11-2 run to take their largest lead at 48-26 with 3:25 on the clock as Smith capped the quick outburst with a three-point field goal. The Bulldogs did close the half with a 14-3 run to make it 51-40 at the intermission.
Pitt opened the second half with a 14-6 run to pull within 57-54 at 15:23, but Richard Bland answered with nine-straight points to lead 66-54 at 12:42. Jones had five quick points, including another old-fashioned three-point play. A slam dunk by Patterson at 10:30 made it 69-59, while two free throws from Jones made it 75-62 at 6:49. Smith added a three-point play inside at 5:08 for an 80-65 margin, and his fifth three-pointer at 1:54 made it 89-72 en route to the final 16-point margin of victory.
Smith led Richard Bland with his game-high 30 points, including 11-20 field goals (5-11 3FGs), adding nine rebounds. Jones added his career-high 16 points, making 5-6 field goals and 6-6 free throws. Patterson finished with his career-high double-double of 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, adding a career-high four blocks, as well. Bing scored 13 points, adding nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Richard Bland shot 46% (33-72) from the field, including 30% (8-27) on three-pointers, and 64% (18-28) at the free throw line.
Faison led Pitt CC with his 26points, adding a game-high seven assists, while Darian Daniels added 19 points and Semaj Yelverton had 13 points. The Bulldogs shot 34% (22-64) from the field, including 35% (8-23) on three-pointers, and 83% (24-29) at the line.
Richard Bland and Pitt CC were playing for the ninth time in the sport of men’s basketball, and the Statesmen lead the series 7-2.
Following the game at Catawba Valley, Richard Bland will have a week off for fall semester examinations before playing at Guilford Tech (N.C.) on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. in Jamestown, North Carolina.
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Greg Prouty
Director of Athletics Communications & Marketing
