Layoff no problem for Gaston College basketball as it wins 13th straight game

Nearly three weeks off did nothing to stop the winning momentum of the Gaston College basketball team Tuesday night as the Rhinos rolled to a 100-65 win at the Converse University developmental team.

The victory was the Rhinos' 13th straight after a season-opening loss to the top-ranked team in the country and improved Gaston College to 13-1.

"Obviously it's good to get one under your belt after coming off such a long break," first-year Rhinos coach Benny Moss said. "I was really pleased with the contributions we got from everybody."

Playing its first game since Dec. 18, Gaston College led for all but 1 1/2 minutes of Tuesday's road game.

The Rhinos roared ahead 12-1 in the game's first four minutes, then after the Valkyries rallied to lead 23-21 and 26-23, Gaston College closed the opening half on a 30-13 surge for a 53-39 lead at the break.

After Converse scored the first bucket of the second half, the Rhinos went on a 19-7 tear to take a 70-48 lead with 11:30 to play - and end any doubt of the game's outcome.

Gaston College enjoyed its usual offensive balance and all 11 players who participated scored two or more points.

The effort was led by Jordan Brown (23 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists), Ryan Evans (season-high 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists), E.J. Joyner (15 points, 4 assists, 3 steals), Kyhree McAlister (8 points, 6 rebounds), Judah Ravenell (7 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), Spencer Breeden (7 points), Tyheim Love (6 points, 3 rebounds), Jozohn Price (6 points, 3 rebounds) and J.R. Watson (5 points).

"Jordan was really solid again and E.J. and Ryan really helped us with all-around play," Moss said.

The Rhinos return to action in their first home game of the second semester on Saturday at 3 p.m. against Pitt Community College at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School. It will be Gaston College's last game before opening its Region 10 Division I league slate on Jan. 15 at Denmark Tech.

"We're playing a talented team and it's definitely going to be a good test for us going into our region games," Moss said. "We're trying to become more consistent for a whole game and I think Pitt is a team that will challenge us to do that."