Spartans work overtime to get payback on Oak Grove

By Russ Green-Sports Editor

Richmond Coach Duane Bastob described his team’s win Friday night over visiting Oak Grove, a battle for survival. The Spartans gained some measure of revenge for a 15-point loss to the Panthers earlier this season by grabbing a 62-55 overtime victory Friday night at the RHS gym. Richmond’s win came one day after gaining a 63-47 MRVC East road victory at Holden.

The Spartans led throughout most of the evening against Oak Grove, but each time Richmond would try to increase its lead, the Panthers (5-2) would fight back. Richmond led by 5 points with 2:33 left in regulation and had a 47-44 lead with 44 seconds remaining. However, a Richmond turnover on an inbounds pass with 28 seconds left gave the Panthers one last shot and senior guard Jordan Douglas responded with a 3-point bucket with 9 seconds left on the clock.

The Spartans could not get a good look at the basket on their final possession, so the regulation ended with a 47-47 deadlock. Reid Summers began the overtime with a 3-pointer and Richmond would not trail again. The Spartans pulled away in the bonus time by hitting 12 of 14 free throws with Tevin Robinson and Summers both going 4 for 4.

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