FAYETTEVILLE — The Raider basketball team was down but never out of it on Friday.
Playing the first of their two games in the Hoops and Dreams Showcase this weekend, the Raiders defeated Fayetteville Academy 74-68.
The holiday tournament game was played at Fayetteville State University. Richmond trailed by double-digits in both halves and its largest deficit was 13 points.
Senior wing Paul McNeil Jr. accounted for half of Richmond’s scoring, netting 37 points. He recorded 15 rebounds for the double-double and had five blocks and four steals.
Also adding double figures in scoring for the Raiders were senior guards Jamarion Wall (13 points) and Javian Drake (12 points).
Wall scored 10 points in a pivotal second quarter and eight of Drake’s points came from the free throw line in the second half.
The Raiders used runs of 14-3 and 14-0 in the second and third quarters, respectively, to erase their deficit.
Drake broke a 64-64 tie late in the fourth quarter with a free throw, giving Richmond the lead for good.
A full game story of the Raiders’ first win over the season can be read by clicking here.
Richmond moved to 1-0 on the season and will face Millbrook High School (0-0) on Saturday. The game will also be played at FSU and begin at 6 p.m.
Below are photos from the Raiders’ win over Fayetteville Academy taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
