ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Raider basketball team ended South Mecklenburg High School’s 13-game winning streak Saturday.
Erasing a 16-point third-quarter deficit, Richmond defeated the Sabres 94-91 in double overtime.
A 19-2 run in the third stanza helped Richmond take a 61-60 lead into the fourth quarter.
Senior wing Paul McNeil Jr. (31 points, 20 rebounds) drove the lane to tie the game 73-73 with 14.6 seconds left in regulation. Senior David McNair made a steal to thwart a possible Sabres bucket to force overtime.
In the first extra period, Richmond came back from a five-point hole and closed on a 7-2 run. Two McNeil Jr. free throws with 8.4 seconds on the clock tied it again 82-82 to force another overtime.
McNeil Jr., Javian Drake (18 points, five rebounds) and Keyonta Davis (11 points, four rebounds) did all the scoring in the final four minutes. Richmond outscored South Mecklenburg 12-9 to hold on for the win.
For a full recap of the Raiders’ win, including video clips and interviews, click here.
The Raiders (9-4, 3-0) tip-off at Union Pines High School (9-4, 1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to continue Sandhills Athletic Conference action.
Below are photos of the Raiders’ double-overtime victory against South Mecklenburg taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
