Rhinos can't sustain strong play in 2nd half in Region 10 loss

A strong start wasn't enough for Gaston College Wednesday night as the Rhinos fell 90-84 at USC Salkehatchie.

Gaston College had one of its strongest starts of the season as the Rhinos reached 50 points in a half for the sixth time of the year while taking a 52-40 lead at the break.

But the host Indians (15-13 overall, 4-10 Region 10) scored the last four points in the first half after trailing 52-36 and completed a 22-5 surge that gave them the lead with 14:33 left in the game. The Rhinos would regain the lead at 59-58, 61-58 and 61-60 before USC Salkehatchie pulled away for good down the stretch.

"I am shattered by the fact that we didn't win," Gaston College interim head coach Jermaine Williams said. "The win was there for us. We have a great half almost but don't finish out the plays to grow the lead. We left the door open for them and we didn't close out the half the right way. Being up 12 should've been 18. They were ready to throw in the towel, but we didn't seal the deal on plays. That's how winning is done.
"I will say that we missed a solid seven layups that were wide open. We miss, they go down to score and you can feel the momentum shift. That's the stage where 20 timeouts can't be enough."

Gaston College got six first-half 3-pointers and Asil Hoyle scored 21 of his team-high 26 points in the first half.

Hoyle (26 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals), Tyheim Love (19 points), Judah Ravenell (18 points, 6 rebounds), Kush Carter (8 points, 3 rebounds), Yarayah Evans (5 points, 2 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Jamal Ukaegbu (4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) led the Rhinos.

Gaston College (9-18, 2-12) may have to win its final Region 10 games of the season to qualify for the eight-team Region 10 tournament at Hickory's Catawba Valley Community College. The Rhinos host Spartanburg Methodist on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Richard Bland next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School in their final two Region 10 games of the regular season.

"We knew we needed this win," Williams said. "Now it's a definite fact that we have to win our remaining conference games to make the conference tourney."

Gaston College also holds its annual "Sophomore Day" where it will honor Evans, Ajaden Gray, Hoyle, Michael Smith and Ukaegbu on Sunday at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School against Hosanna Bible College. A pregame ceremony will be held at 4:15 p.m. with the game slated to tipoff at 4:30 p.m.