Gaston College wins another road game to improve to 18-3 on the season

Gaston College's basketball team picked up its eighth road victory of the season - and second in league play - with a strong second half showing in an 86-73 win at Wake Tech.

The Rhinos improved to 18-3 overall and 3-2 in National Junior College Athletic Association Region 10 play.

"In the second half, we were much more engaged defensively and I thought we did a better job of taking care of the basketball and keeping them off the glass," Gaston College coach Benny Moss said.

Trailing 42-36 at the break, the Rhinos outscored the host Eagles 50-31 in the second half.

Sophomores Kaleb Siler (29 points, 11 rebounds), E.J. Joyner (15 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists) and Ryan Evans (13 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists) led Gaston College.

"Kaleb was 29 and 11, Ryan had 13 and 12 with six assists and E.J. had 15, seven and five," Moss said. "That's really great production. And we also got 13 points and seven rebounds out of Jozohn Price (7 points, 3 rebounds) and Tin Tikvesa (6 points, 4 rebounds)."

The Rhinos return to action with a three-game homestand that starts on Wednesday.

Gaston College hosts USC Salkehatchie on Wednesday at 8 p.m., Richard Bland next Saturday at 2 p.m. and Denmark Tech on Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. All three games will be played at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School.

"We get both ends of the spectrum next week," Moss said. "Salkahatchie is going to press and trap and score a lot of points. And Richard Bland is going to three quarter press you, play a lot of zone and keep it a possession-by-possession game."