CHARLOTTE — A non-conference road test resulted in a win for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ basketball team Thursday.
Extending their winning streak to four games, the Lady Raiders defeated South Mecklenburg High School 62-53.
Entering the game, the Lady Sabres had lost just one of their nine games this season.
Richmond helped add another loss in the column thanks to a single-game career-high 19 points from junior shooting guard Olivia Brown.
Senior point guard Jamyia Lindsey also hit double-digits, finishing the game with 13 points.
Other big contributors were sophomore Madisen Jackson (9 points) and junior Jasiah Gilchrist (7 points). Seniors Quanna Bostic and Rena Drake, along with junior J’Nasia Neal, each added four points. Sophomore Kaylan Parsons scored two points.
“I’m really proud of the girls’ effort,” head coach Taneika Reader said. “We had several players step up big time tonight after they double teamed Juicy (Lindsey) and Jo (Gilchrist).
“Olivia stepped up tremendously with her outside shooting and that really set the tone for us offensively in the second half. This was a great team win against another quality opponent.”
Richmond pulled ahead to a 12-6 lead after the first quarter. Lindsey’s five points on a bucket and three foul shots led the way, along with Bostic’s four points on a pair of field goals.
Gilchrist added a basket and Jackson started her scoring with a shot from the line.
A 15-point second quarter from four Lady Raiders put Richmond ahead 27-18 at halftime. Two three-pointers from Lindsey gave her 11 points at the break.
Drake worked hard down low and was fouled several times. She connected on four free throws in the second. Also scoring four points was Jackson on two shots and Brown got on the board with a free throw.
The Lady Raiders pulled away even more in the third quarter, outscoring South Mecklenburg 21-17. Brown got in a rhythm and scored 11 points, including a trio of three-pointers.
Gilchirst and Neal each scored four points and a basket from Jackson padded Richmond’s lead to 48-35 entering the final eight minutes.
Although the Lady Sabres scored 18 points to Richmond’s 14 points in the fourth quarter, the cushion held. Brown connected on the final of her team-high four three-pointers and made three foul shots to end her productive game.
Jackson, Lindsey and Parsons all scored on a field goal for a combined six points. Gilchrist capped her scoring with a free throw.
Richmond (6-3, 2-0 Sandhills Athletic Conference) hosts Hoke County High School (1-7, 0-2 SAC) for its final game before winter break Friday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
