Statesmen Surge Early, Battle No. 16 Bobcats to the Wire in 74-79 Road Thriller

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA — The Richard Bland College women's basketball team stormed out to a commanding 14-2 lead in the opening minutes Wednesday night and went toe-to-toe with No. 16 Bryant & Stratton College (VA) before falling 74-79 in a hard-fought contest. Despite the five-point final margin, the Statesmen proved they could trade baskets and match intensity with one of the nation's top programs from start to finish.

Richard Bland (3-18, 2-14) wasted no time setting the tone. Crisp ball movement and aggressive defense fueled the early 14-2 advantage, forcing the Bobcats to regroup midway through the first quarter. RBC held a 19-12 edge before Bryant & Stratton answered with a late push to take a 19-24 lead after one.

The second and third quarters featured back-and-forth stretches, with neither side able to fully separate. Hazel Veloz delivered a standout performance for the Statesmen, pouring in 23 points behind a sharp 7-of-12 effort from beyond the arc. Grace Riggs and Micala Poe added 11 points apiece, while Arianna Zepeda orchestrated the offense with 11 assists to go along with four steals.

Bryant & Stratton's efficient shooting ultimately proved decisive, as the Bobcats connected on 60 percent from the field. Still, RBC refused to fade. The Statesmen erupted for 24 fourth-quarter points, trimming the deficit to a single possession in the final minutes and keeping pressure on the nationally ranked hosts until the closing seconds.

Richard Bland finished with 11 three-pointers and 23 assists on the night, showcasing balanced scoring and unselfish play against a formidable opponent. Though the result did not fall in their favor, Richard Bland's resilience and early intensity underscored the program's continued growth heading deeper into the season.

The Statesmen will look ahead to Sunday, February 22^nd when they host Southwest Virginia Community College in a 1pm contest.

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