Gaston College loses home game to nationally-ranked Davidson-Davie Community College

Facing No. 4-ranked Davidson-Davie Community College at home in the second game of the year provided Gaston College a good test.

The Rhinos took a pair of first half leads and twice closed within five points in the second half but it wasn't enough in an 82-69 loss at the Ashbrook High School gymnasium that evens their record at 1-1.

"The frustration is we probably gave away about 10 possessions by not being mentally locked in," Gaston College interim head coach Jermaine Williams said of the loss. "It's like we fought with ourselves to make the easy plays. We cut it to five and then we're down 16 because we don't make simple plays."

Tyheim Love (20 points), Asil Hoyle (15 points), Jamal Ukaegbu (11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists), Judah Ravenell (8 points, 6 rebounds), Michael Smith (5 points, 8 rebounds) and Jalante Edwards (4 points, 4 rebounds) led a balanced effort from the Rhinos.

Davidson-Davie Community College, ranked No. 4 in the preseason National Junior College Athletic Association Division II poll coming of a 35-1 season in which they were frequently ranked No. 1 and advanced to the national tournament, improved to 2-0 on the season.

"Well, I knew they were real good," Williams said of the Storm. "I followed them last year when they were unbeaten until the national tournament.
"But I came in with us prepared to win. We scouted well. We just didn't take care of business on our end offensively and defensively."

Gaston College led 4-3 and 12-11 in the first half before falling behind by as many as 14 points before the Rhinos forged a second half rally.

Gaston College nudged within 50-45 and 52-47 before the Storm scored the next 12 points to build a working margin and the Rhinos go no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

The Rhinos hit the road for more than a month beginning with back-to-back games this weekend at Catawba Valley Community - at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon against Patrick & Henry Community College and at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon against CVCC - as part of eight games away from home.

"We have two tough games coming up this weekend and we'll address our issues at practice" on Thursday, Williams said. "We've got to get more production out of a few players and we need to get more consistency in making the simple plays as a team."

Gaston College's next home is December 9 at 3 p.m. against Double Exposure Hoops at the Ashbrook High gymnasium.