ROCKINGHAM - In a game that saw a few big runs made by Richmond on Tuesday, the Lady Raiders were able to pull away in the second half to get a victory over Southern Lee High School inside Raider Gym and end a four-game losing streak.
The end of the first quarter saw Richmond only up by one, 14-13, with nine of those points coming from senior Saleemah Brown. Head coach Rosalind McDonald signaled her team to use a technique they've implemented before - the full court press - to keep pressure on Southern Lee.
Although the Raiders were put into foul trouble early in the game at the 5:10 mark in the second quarter, it didn't stop the team from going on a 10-0 run to begin the period up until the 4:28 mark.
A big three pointer made by the Lady Cavaliers at the 35 second mark cut Richmond's lead to 28-23 going into halftime. Brown went scoreless in the second quarter, playing a large factor in the Southern Lee's run. Lexyonna Ingram chipped in five of her team-leading 21 points in the quarter.
Once again, however, Richmond was able to jump out big to start the third quarter when the Lady Raiders went on an 11-2 run with Ingram doing the most damage against the Cavs with 11 points of her own.
With the score 45-32 going into the fourth quarter, Richmond was able to force turnovers all night, and were able to convert on the opportunities provided from the mistakes.
Richmond was able to push the lead to 58-40 with a minute left in the game, and that's how it would end after the Raiders played keep-away most of the fourth quarter.
"Each game they're getting better with execution," said McDonald. "And they looked better on defense against Southern Lee."
In addition to Ingram's 21 points, Brown and Keionna Love would also hit double digits with 11 apiece, including Love's only made three-pointer of the game for Richmond. Allexis Swinney added six points, and Jakerra Covington chipped in five of her own, respectively.
The Lady Raiders shot 13-24 from the free throw line while the Cavaliers hit 6-14 from the charity stripe. Richmond was able to keep every player from Southern Line below 10 points for the game.
Before Christmas, the Raiders (2-5, 1-3 SAC) will travel to Wadesboro on Friday and Saturday to take part in the Anson Invitational before getting back to SAC action in the new year against Lumberton High School in Rockingham on January 5.
