Second half comeback not enough for Gaston College against USC Salkehatchie

Gaston College rallied from a 19-point deficit early in the second half to close within two points of USC Salkehatchie on Monday night at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School.

But USC Salkehatchie's 6-foot-8, 180-pound wing Nevarda Higgins scored critical points in the closing minutes to lead the Indians to an 85-78 victory.

Gaston College, which closed within 70-68 with 4:55 to play, later got within 76-72. But Higgins finished with 30 points overall and scored 11 straight USC Salkehatchie points with nine coming on 3-pointers.

"It was a tough game," Rhinos' interim head coach Jermaine Williams. "Our game plan was designed knowing they could shoot. And they hit some really big shots, especially in the late minutes."

Tyheim Love (15 points), Asil Hoyle (14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals), Yarayah Evans (11 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocked shots), Branden Burnell (7 points) and Jamal Ukaegbu (7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocked shots) led a balanced Gaston College effort.

The loss dropped the Rhinos to 6-11 overall and 0-4 in Region 10.

"We've just got to keep getting better," Williams said. "A championship wasn't won or lost tonight. And we're going to go and get better.
"We have to keep believing in each other."

Gaston College's next two games are against Denmark Tech before a five-game road trip. The Rhinos visit Denmark Tech on Friday night at 7 p.m. before hosting Denmark Tech on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School.