Richland Takes Down Eastfield to Extend Win Streak

By Chase Upton

MESQUITE, Texas -- Dallas College Richland's No. 10 nationally-ranked men's basketball team defeated No. 12 nationally-ranked Dallas College Eastfield, 91-84, to extend its win streak to four games.

Coming into this Dallas Athletic Conference showdown, Richland (11-7, 4-1 DAC) and Eastfield (14-11, 3-2 DAC) were tied for second place in the league standings, each having lost one game in conference play. Now at the midway point in the DAC schedule, the Thunderducks have moved into sole possession of second place, a game ahead of Eastfield and a game behind league leader Dallas College North Lake. 

In the first half, the Thunderducks were led by sophomore guard Taven Washington, who despite getting in some foul trouble early, scored 10 points en route to Richland gaining a 52-48 lead heading into halftime.

The second half of this contest unfolded as an intense thriller, featuring four lead changes. A clutch layup from Washington with one-and-a-half minutes remaining to put Richland up 86-84, along with some game-sealing free throws from freshman Barack Holland and Tre'Lin Green, helped the Thunderducks end the game on a 7-0 run and pull out the victory.

The Thunderducks matched a season-high as five players reached double-digit scoring. Washington and Holland led Richland in scoring with 22 and 17. Washington shot 9 of 17 from the field, and had three rebounds. Holland filled up the stat sheet by adding eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals to lead Richland in all three categories. Green and Cjay Ingram added to the scoring with 14 and 11, respectively. Sophomore Jamille Barnett pitched in 10 points and four rebounds.

Eastfield's Javen Hutton had 19 points on 7 of 13 shooting, and two steals. Joshua Williford finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and five steals, while shooting 7 of 11. Marcus Gill Jr. had 10 points, going 5-for-6 at the free throw line. 

Richland's next contest will be a rematch at No. 2 North Lake 1 p.m. Saturday to begin the second round of conference play. If Richland can pull out a win, the Thunderducks and Blazers will be tied for first place in the league.