Gaston College drops Region 10 road game

A quick turnaround didn't prove beneficial for Gaston College's basketball team as the Rhinos lost 87-78 at Cape Fear Community College on Friday afternoon in a game that was moved up one day due to the incoming Winter Storm.

Gaston College fell to 17-3 overall and 2-2 in Region 10 play after failing to continue a strong start against the host Sea Devils (9-5, 3-2).

"On a quick turnaround and travel, we've got to be tougher - both physically and mentally," Rhinos coach Benny Moss said. "We broke a little bit. And that's on me. I've got to get us stronger mentally."

Gaston College roared ahead 10-2 in the first four minutes of the game before the Sea Devils responded with a 19-8 surge to give them the lead for good at 21-18 with 9:29 left in the first half.

Cape Fear Community College built a game-high 19-point advantage at 67-48 with 9:44 left to play and were still ahead 71-54 with 6:56 to go before a Rhinos late rally made the game interesting.

Gaston College went on a 14-2 surge to close within 73-68 with 2:16 to play. But the Sea Devils hit 12 of 14 free throws in the final 1:45 to hold off the Rhinos.

"Hat's off to Cape Fear," Moss said. "They were the more agressive team today - and it showed. On Wednesday night (in a 72-62 home win over Caldwell Tech), we battled and found a way. Today, when things started not going our way, we panicked.
"And, at the end of the day, we've got to start making some shots. This is like the fourth straight game where we're getting good looks and we're not making them. So we've got to get in the gym and get our minds right and shoot with confidence."

E.J. Joyner (18 points, 7 rebounds), J.R. Watson (18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists), Kaleb Siler (12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) and Ryan Evans (11 points, 8 rebounds) led Gaston College in Friday's game.

The Rhinos return to action on Wednesday against league-leading USC Salkehatchie (17-2, 3-1) at 8 p.m. at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School. The Indians' 112.3 team scoring average is one of the best in the entire country.

"We've got to value the ball," Moss said of the upcoming matchup. "That's all that game will be about. They'll trap and pressure and we've got to keep our turnovers to a minimum."