Gaston College surges past Denmark Tech on Sunday for first Region 10 victory

Two days after a disappointing loss at Denmark Tech, Gaston College bounced back against the same opponent to take a 74-61 victory on Sunday afternoon to give the Rhinos their first Region 10 win of the season.

Gaston College used a 22-6 surge in the middle of the game to take control at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School.

"It feels great to get the first conference win of the season," Gaston College interim head coach Jermaine Williams said. "It's been hard to win. So I'm glad and thankful we won and now we prepare for Caldwell."

The Rhinos improved to 8-11 overall and 1-5 in Region 10 before they visit No. 20 Caldwell Tech (18-1, 6-0) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

In Sunday's victory, Asil Hoyle (16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), Yarayah Evans (14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocked shots), Kush Carter (12 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists), Tyheim Love (8 points, 6 rebounds), Jalante Edwards (7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), Ajaden Gray (6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocked shots), Jamal Ukaegbu (4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists), Judah Ravenell (4 points, 5 rebounds) and Jaylon Craig (3 points) led a balanced Rhinos' attack.

Denmark Tech, which held off a late Gaston College rally on Friday to win 66-63, led by as many as five points in the first half and was ahead 24-23 with 7:39 left in the opening half.

But the Rhinos went on a 22-6 surge to take a 45-30 lead with 13:39 left.

Denmark Tech got no closer than nine points the rest of the way in a game Gaston College once led by as many as 22 points at 60-38.

"I thought we played really good team defense," Williams said.

Wednesday's game at Caldwell will mark the fourth time this season Gaston College has played against a team ranked in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll.