ROCKINGHAM — Struggling against a tough non-conference opponent Tuesday, the Richmond junior varsity girls’ basketball team couldn’t stay in the win column.
Hosting Grace Christian School in the first of four games between Richmond and the private school from Sanford on the night, the JV Lady Raiders lost 68-29.
The JV Lady Crusaders started the running clock with 3:48 to play in the third quarter when they took a 61-19 lead.
Richmond struggled out of the gate, falling behind 22-8 after the first quarter and entered halftime down 40-14.
Sophomore Kaniah Little was Richmond’s leading scorer with 11 points, which featured a trio of three-pointers in the first half.
Freshmen Erin Drumwright and Alexis Moseley contributed seven and six points, respectively.
Also scoring for the JV Lady Raiders were sophomore Kenya Bailey and Zamyria Smith (two points each) and freshman Mary Little had a free throw.
Grace Christian led by as many as 45 points during the third quarter.
Richmond outscored the JV Lady Crusaders 9-3 in the final stanza, led by Drumright’s final three points, which came from beyond the arc.
Field goals from Bailey and Smith helped close the gap and two free throws from Moseley in the closing minutes capped the scoring.
The JV Lady Raiders (1-2) will return to play next Tuesday against Pinecrest High School.
