#17 BRYANT & STRATTON DEFEATS #3 RICHARD BLAND 66-64 WITH CLUTCH STEAL

Norfolk, VA (January 10, 2015)-  A highly competitive, defensive Top 20 NJCAA D2 Region X Conference matchup between the #17 Bobcats and #3 Statesmen saw the Bobcats victorious. They are now (13-4) on the season and (7-2) Region X Conference play.

Through the first six minutes of the contest, both teams were trying to find their groove as the visiting Statesmen held a 9-5 lead. A 3-point shot made by sophomore transfer Andre Stanley brought the Bobcats within one point. From that point on in the first half there were several lead changes off of small runs by both teams. At halftime the Bobcats led 29-27.

To start the second half the Statesmen went on a 7-2 run to regain the lead at 34-31. The Bobcats were able to regain the lead at 48-42 with 11:28 remaining in the second half thanks in large part to four 3-pointers hit in that span by Sophomore Troy Mills who finished the game (6-9) from behind the arc.

With two minutes remaining in the game the Bobcats led 62-60. A basket by Richard Bland's Pedro Berrios tied the game at 62-62 with 1:25 remaining. The two teams exchanged baskets once again first by the Bobcats and then by the Statesmen to keep the game at 64-64. A turnover by the Bobcats with 12 seconds remaining in the game gave the ball back to the Statesmen. A steal and layup by Marquise Johnson with seven seconds left in the game off of an inbound play by Richard Bland sealed the game at 66-64 (photo).

The Bobcats were led by Troy Mills with 22 pts, Marquise Johnson added 9 pts, and Jaleel Ferguson and Andre Stanley combined for 15 rebounds.

The Bobcats will host Wake Technical Community College Saturday January 17, 2015 at 3:00PM at Maury High School. The Bobcats won the first meeting at Wake Tech this past November 75-60.

(Video: With 7 seconds left in the game, Marquise Johnson steals the ball off of an inbound play by Richard Bland, and hits the layup to seal the Bobcats victory 66-64.)

#D. VERBAL#