Virginia Peninsula Community College’s men’s basketball team finished a three-game trip to Massachusetts with a 97-86 victory Saturday over Bunker Hill Community College, the eighth-ranked team in the country.
The Gators (6-3 overall) jumped out to a 49-37 lead at halftime against the Bulldogs, an NJCAA Division III powerhouse. Jordan Watlington (Menchville High School) had nine of his team-high 19 points in the first 20 minutes. Dominique Fields Jr. (Indian River) took over in the second half with 12 points after a scoreless first half. Jakobe Reed (Woodside) finished with 17 points. Chris Cyrus (Hampton Christian Academy) had 12; Emmanuel Angila (Kempsville) 11 and Jayden Sepulveda (Landstown) 10. The game was played in Boston.
The previous day, the Gators were in Haverhill, Mass., to take on Northern Essex Community College, ranked No. 9 in the country. Despite leading by 14 points at halftime, the Gators fell 77-74, getting outscored 46-29 in the final 20 minutes.
Sepulveda came off the bench to lead the Gators in scoring with 19 points, making 7 of 16 field goal attempts. Cyrus had 13 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Watlington was the only other Gator in double figures with 10 points. Angila had seven points and 10 rebounds.
The Gators lost despite shooting 40.6% (26-64) from the field, 38.9% (7-18) on 3-pointers and 78.9% (15-19) from the line.
In the first game of the trip, the Gators ran their winning streak to four with an 82-49 victory over Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. Watlington had 17 points, nine rebounds and six steals. Cyrus had 10 points and three steals, and Sepulveda chipped in with nine points and four assists. The Gators had 21 steals and 17 assists.
The Gators’ next game is Tuesday, Nov. 25 at home against Bryant and Stratton College at SafeHaven Empowerment Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
For more on athletics, go to www.vpccgators.com.