Gaston College falls at home to Cape Fear Community College

Six weeks after knocking off Cape Fear Community College in its first Region 10 basketball game in 50 years, Gaston College found out again how challenging league play can be on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors overcome a first half deficit with a strong second half effort that resulted in an 80-61 Cape Fear Community College win over Gaston College at the North Gaston High School gymnasium.

The win improved the Sea Devils to 9-5 overall and 3-1 in league play. Gaston College, which won 78-75 at Cape Fear on Dec. 4 in the Region 10 opener for both teams, fell to 10-7 overall and 1-3 in the league.

Gaston College led 23-19 with 7:21 left in the first half and was ahead 25-22 before Cape Fear Community closed the first half on a 19-8 surge to take a 41-33 lead at the break.

After the Rhinos closed within 43-40 with 17:16 to play, Cape Fear responded with 11 unanswered points to change the game's momentum.

"Our guys are finding out that it takes great effort night in and night out just to win a single game," Gaston College coach David "Dickey" Nutt said. "When you turn the ball over 21 times and shoot poorly from the field, it's a bad combination and then you add defensive breakdowns.
"As I tell my guys regularly, the sun will come up. Not but one thing to do and get back to the practice floor and work. I'm convinced this group will respond."

Damon Davis (16 points, 4 rebounds), Dee Merriweather (9 points, 3 rebounds), Da'marco Watson (9 points) and Jaylen Bates (8 rebounds) led the Rhinos.

With Gaston College's 2 p.m. Sunday home game against Louisburg postponed by the inclement weather forecast, the Rhinos closed their four-game homestand that started on Dec. 5 with a 2-2 record.

Gaston College returns to action on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Region 10 rival Spartanburg Methodist. The Rhinos return home on Jan. 23 against Brunswick Community College at 2 p.m. at North Gaston High School. That game was originally slated for Jan. 22.