FAYETTEVILLE — Holding on late during Tuesday’s game, the Lady Raider basketball team extended its season-long winning streak.
Playing its first of three games in the Cumberland County Basketball Holiday Classic Tournament, Richmond defeated Westover High School 62-58 at Cape Fear High School.
Thanks to a strong first half, which featured a 35-11 lead at the break, the Lady Raiders won their fourth straight game.
“We were up 24 points at half and then we had a bit of a let down in the second half,” head coach Teddy Moseley said. “We took our foot off the gas and I take some blame for that.
“We have to continue to play all four quarters, but it was a good win for us tonight.”
Scoring a season-high and game-high 28 points was junior point guard Jamyia Lindsey. She added five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Averaging 21.7 points per game this season, Lindsey scored 15 points in the first half and helped end Westover’s three-game winning streak.
Also helping distance the Lady Raiders early on was sophomore guard Jasiah Gilchrist, who netted 19 points. She nearly had a double-double with nine steals and recorded three assists and a board.
Rounding out Richmond’s big three in scoring was freshman forward Madisen Jackson. She contributed eight points, four in each half, and snagged five rebounds with an assist.
The Lady Raiders opened the game on a 15-3 run in the first quarter. Lindsey and Jackson both had four points on a pair of buckets and Gilchrist’s five points on a basket and three free throws led the way.
Scoring her two points in the win was senior center MaKailah Jackson, whose biggest contribution came under the hoop with a team-high eight rebounds.
Richmond’s highest-scoring quarter of the game was the second period, which saw 20 more points added to the board. Lindsey had 11 points on a three-pointer, a field goal and six shots from the stripe.
Gilchrist started with a free throw before adding a trio of baskets for seven total points to give her 12 points at the break. Junior forward Rena Drake scored her two points to go along with her two rebounds.
The Lady Wolverines (5-2) switched momentum in the second half after netting just 11 points in the opening 16 minutes of play. They outscored Richmond 28-11 in the third and 19-16 in the fourth.
Lindsey drained another triple and had a basket for five more points in the third, accompanied by four more points from Madisen Jackson. Senior forward C’Niya Hinson scored a basket and finished with four rebounds.
Leading 46-39 to start the final stanza, Richmond stayed just ahead of the Lady Wolverines thanks to strong scoring performances from Lindsey and Gilchrist.
Lindsey scored her final eight points, including a perfect 6-for-6 clip at the line. Gilchrist chipped in seven points on two field goals and three field goals.
Senior forward Ryelan Lyerly joined the scoring for the Lady Raiders down the stretch, connecting on a pivotal free throw.
Westover was led in scoring by Rmani Robinson, who scored 23 of her 26 points in the second half. Other top scorers were Tytiana Dowden (12 points) and Princess Canady (10 points).
The Lady Raiders (6-3) advanced in the winner’s bracket and will play Jack Britt High School (5-1) in the second round on Wednesday.
Tip-off from Cape Fear High School is set for 5:30 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Stats and game information provided by head coach Teddy Moseley and assistant coach Taneika Reader.
