Rhinos lose at top-ranked, unbeaten NJCAA Division II team

Gaston College visited unbeaten, top-ranked Davidson-Davie Community College on Monday night in a non-conference matchup.

After the Rhinos hung close with the Storm for the opening 10 minutes of the first half - even holding as much as a 4-point lead - the Storm showed why they're now 27-0 and ranked No. 1 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II rankings in an impressive 91-64 victory over Gaston College.

"I think what you get out of tonight is that we had a chance to see what a championship program looks like from top to bottom," Gaston College coach Jamie Rosser said of Davidson-Davie Community College, which has been NJCAA Division II national runner-up the last two season. "They're a well-coached team and a tough, well-put-together team. They played 13 guys and didn't miss a beat."

The Storm outrebounded the Rhinos 43-32 and forced 18 turnovers and limited Gaston College to 33.9 percent shooting.

Dee Merriweather (15 points, 5 3-pointers, 3 rebounds), DaMarco Watson (9 points, 6 assists), Caleb McCarty (8 points, 4 rebounds) and Michael Smith (7 points, 3 rebounds) led a balanced Gaston College offensive attack.

"We live to see another day and we have conference play next," Rosser said. "We can take a lot from this game. We have to have a short-term memory and get ready for Spartanburg Methodist."

Gaston College returns to Region 10 Division I action on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. against Spartanburg Methodist at the Ashbrook High School gymnasium. The Rhinos (4-4) then close out region games with two more home games - Saturday at 3 p.m. against Richard Bland and March 2 at 7 p.m. against Caldwell Tech - and play on February 28, at Brunswick Community College at 6 p.m.