LAURINBURG — A year ago, Scotland’s girls basketball team spoiled Richmond’s senior night.
The Lady Scots weren’t going to let their rivals retaliate.
A 20-point performance by senior Niaria Leach helped propel the Lady Scots past Richmond 49-47 in the regular-season finale for both teams.
It was also the final home game for Scotland’s three seniors — Leach, Nautika Moore and Jahkayla Walker. With Moore and Leach running the offense, the Lady Scots stopped Richmond’s comeback attempt in the final finutes of the game. Scotland led 48-42 with two minutes remaining in the contest, but free throws helped the Lady Raiders close the gap to 48-47 with 13 seconds left.
Richmond (10-13, 6-9 SAC) had a chance to tie the score or take the lead when Allexis Swiney went to the free throw line with just over eight seconds left. She missed both shots, and Scotland’s Kadence Sheppard recovered the rebound. The freshman was fouled and made one of two free throws with 3.4 seconds on the clock, making the score 49-47. That was all Scotland needed.
“This is the first senior night that we’ve won since I’ve been here, so I know they’re excited,” Scotland head coach Mallarie Snow said. “That was a great win for them.”
Scotland (9-15, 3-11) jumped out to an 8-3 lead at the start of the game. The Lady Raiders battled back and tied the game at 10-all at the end of the first period, but Scotland outscored their rivals 21-12 in the second quarter and held a 31-22 lead at halftime.
Walker scored all 10 of her points in the first half. She hit two 3-pointers.
Leach, Scotland’s leading scorer this season with just under 14 points per game, finished 9-of-11 at the free throw line.
Asjah Swindell added 10 points for the Lady Scots.
Jakeera Covington had 22 points for Richmond.
The Lady Scots finished in seventh place in the Sandhills Athletic Conference. They will be on the road for a first-round conference tournament game next week. Details will be posted as they become available.
Moore, who averages just over six points and three rebounds per game, chipped in a basket in the second quarter.
