Gaston College wins Region 10 opener to extend winning streak to 14 games

Gaston College opened its 2024-25 Region 10 schedule with a thrilling 86-84 victory at Denmark Tech that extended the Rhinos' winning streak to 14 games.

The Rhinos improved to 14-1 overall and 1-0 in Region 10 Division I.

"To go on the road and win is special," first-year Gaston College head coach Benny Moss said. "To win the conference, you've got to win at home and steal some on the road. And we went on the road to win our road opener."

It's the first win in a league opener since the 2021-22 season.

The Rhinos led by as many as seven points in the first half and were ahead 80-72 with three minutes left in the second half before holding on against a furious Denmark Tech rally.

The host Panthers (8-4, 1-1) tied the score at 84 before Gaston College guard E.J. Joyner drove to the basket and dished off to teammate Tyheim Love for a game-winning floater just outside the lane.

Love's bucket gave him a team-high 22 points. Joyner added 18 points, Judah Ravenell 14, Jordan Brown 13 and Jozohn Price nine for the balanced Gaston College offense.

"It was a game of big plays," Moss said.

Gaston College returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. at home against Cape Fear Academy at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School in its 2024-25 Region 10 home opener.

"It's great to go on the road and get a Region 10 win," Moss said. "Now we get to come home and we've got to take care of our homecourt."