Rhinos turnovers prove costly against Cape Fear rally

After a strong first half, turnovers proved costly for Gaston College in Friday's 85-69 loss at defending Region 10 champion Cape Fear Community College.

The Rhinos, who fell to 2-7 in Region 10 and 9-13 overall, led 39-37 at halftime but 22 total turnovers that contributed to 27 Sea Devils' prove too much to overcome.

"Those turnovers are the game summary and the ball game," Gaston College interim head coach Jermaine Williams said. "We had turnovers and they pressed us and it resulted in a turnover. The other turnovers were a result of us.
"I'll also say I thought we missed eight layups. How can a team expect to win a game if wide open layups are missed? You can't have that."

Judah Ravenell (16 points, 7 rebounds), Yarayah Evans (13 points, 10 rebounds), Jamal Ukaegbu (12 points, 7 rebounds), Tyheim Love (10 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists), Asil Hoyle (8 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists) and Ajaden Gray (6 points, 3 rebounds) led a balanced Gaston College attack.

Gaston College trailed by as many as seven points early before battling back to take its first lead at 20-19 with 8:53 left in the opening half. The Rhinos twice led by three points before taking a 39-37 lead at the break.

The host Sea Devils (6-4, 12-7) scored 13 of the first 15 points in the second half to take a 50-41 with 15:55 left to play. The Rhinos closed within 54-52 but got no closer as Cape Fear Community College pulled away and led by as many as the final 16-point margin of victory.

"Cape Fear is as good as it gets," Williams said. "They haven't been healthy and play with different lineups seemingly every week. They were at full strength tonight. So hats off to a great team."

Gaston College has a quick turnaround as the Rhinos visit Brunswick Community College on Saturday at 3 p.m.

"We will continue to trend toward togetherness from start to finish," Williams said. "This was an opportunity lost to win a game tonight but we're back at it to compete and be in position to win tomorrow. We are learning and knowing that we are right there."

On Thursday, Gaston College closes its current five-game road trip with a 7 p.m. game at Richard Bland College before playing its first home game in three weeks on Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. against Wake Tech at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School.