Gaston College loses Friday afternoon game in Hickory

Gaston College ran into a hot-shooting Patrick & Henry Community College team in a 99-79 loss on Friday afternoon in a showcase event at Catawba Valley Community College's Tarlton Complex.

"It just seemed like we were late to the party," interim Rhinos coach Jermaine Williams said. "It's all about defense that what we have to do better. We didn't have enough defensive intensity and on ball pressure.
"Offensively, I know we missed five layups in the first half and we started the second half just being flat."

The combination was challenging for the Rhinos (1-2), who play the host Catawba Valley Community College at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Tyheim Love (19 points, 5 assists), Asil Hoyle (16 points, 3 assists), Michael Smith (15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals), Judah Ravenell (10 points, 7 rebounds), Kush Carter (10 points) led a balanced Gaston College attack.

After the Rhinos tied the score at 12, the Patriots scored the game's next 11 points and Gaston College got no closer than six points the rest of the way.

Patrick & Henry (2-1) had an unusual offensive effort in that the Patriots converted 50.0 percent of its free throws while making 59.7 percent of its field goals overall and 66.7 percent of its 3-pointers. The 14 of 21 3-pointers proved too much for Gaston College to overcome.

"The best thing after a loss is the chance to play again and we're playing again quickly," Williams said. "So we'll correct things from today and make sure we're ready."

The Rhinos played without injured sophomore starter Jamal Ukaegbu and saw sophomore Hoyle played his best of the season in the second half with all 16 of his points after halftime.

"Well it showed me that Jamal is an integral part to what we've got going on," Williams said. "I've also been asking for Asil to be assertive and more aggressive. In the last 10 minutes of the game, he really stepped up. He took shots, we're hoping he's getting his confidence going and I want him to know that I support him."