Gaston College snaps layoff with win over Gordon State

An unexpected 13-day layoff didn't diminish the intensity and excitement at the Ashbrook High School gymnasium as Gaston College rallied late to edge Gordon State, Georgia 74-72 on Wednesday night.

It was the second 2-point game between the two teams as Gordon State won 86-84 on its homecourt against the Rhinos on November 17.

After a team dropped a game slated for last week, Gaston College played a back-to-back with the Highlanders separated by 13 days.

"We hadn't played in two weeks and we were a little rusty," said Rhino's coach Jamie Rosser, whose team improved to 6-1 on the season. "I beat them up in practice and we came out and fought and fought and fought."

Gaston College led by a game-high eight points at 39-31 at halftime before Gordon State rallied back and took the lead 13 different times in the second half, including 69-66 with 1:28 to play.

But the Rhinos got a driving layup by DaMarco Watson to close within 69-68 and after a defensive stop, Watson found Asil Hoyle on the right wing and Hoyle drained a 3-pointer that gave Gaston College the lead for good.

Jamal Ukaegbu hit two free throws and Hoyle one in the final 7.6 seconds to hold off the Highlanders for the victory.

"He's a dependable point guard and we're glad to have him," Rosser said of Hoyle, a freshman from Charlotte. "He doesn't try to do too much; he gives you what you need, and he makes free throws."

The Rhinos had a balanced attack as Jordan Guthrie (14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists), Hoyle (12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), Watson (10 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), Yarayah Evans (9 points, 6 rebounds), Dee Merriweather (8 points, 2 steals), Caleb McCarty (7 points, 7 rebounds, 6 blocked shots), Dedrick Givens (6 points), Ukaegbu (4 points, 8 rebounds) and Joshua Johnson (4 points) were key contributors.

"We had a huge break because a team dropped out of playing us between these two games - that would've helped us so much," Rosser said. "But that's the definition of staying ready. We had three starters foul out at home but that shows we've got a pretty solid team because we had reserves who came in and did their jobs."

Gaston College returns to action on Friday at nationally-ranked Northwest Florida State at 8:30 p.m. and play Pensacola State College on Saturday at 3 p.m. Both games are at the Northwest Florida State gymnasium; The Raiders are the defending National Junior College Athletic Association champions, were ranked No. 1 in the country earlier this year, and are currently ranked No. 10.

"It's a great opportunity for us," Rosser said.