South Pointe Stallions threatened, but advance past Diamond Hornets
The South Pointe Stallions broke open a close game in the last six minutes and defeated the Lower Richland Diamond Hornets 53-43 in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs Friday night at South Pointe.
With the score tied at 35-35 with 6:54 remaining in the game the Stallions outscored Lower Richland 18-8 down the stretch to pick up the win and move to the third round on Tuesday night at Seneca.
Derion Kendrick led the late charge for the Stallions. He scored 11 of his game-high 21 points in the final seven minutes. Included in the stretch were three baskets and a five-for-six effort from the free throw line.
His layup off the fast break with 2:44 to play in the game gave the Stallions a 40-38 lead, and they never trailed again.
The game was close all the way. The biggest lead the Diamond Hornets had all night was six points. The biggest lead the Stallions enjoyed until they pulled away at the end was five points. The game was tied seven times and the lead changed hands five times.
“This was a big team win for us,” said South Pointe head coach Melvin Watson. “It was close all night, and our guys really stepped it up when they needed to.”
TURNING POINT
With the scored tied at 35-all, Watson was assessed a technical foul. TeVaughn Harris made one of two free throws for a 36-35 Lower Richland lead.
The Stallions came out after that with more intensity and controlled the game from that point until the end.
“I thought that we played with a lot more intensity and purpose after the technical foul,” said Watson. “The players told me that they had my back. That shows a mature team.”
CRITICAL
The Stallions were strong on the defensive boards and at the free throw line.
With the exception of the early going, Lower Richland was one shot and out.
“We gave them some second shots early, “ said Watson. “After we made an adjustment, we did not give them many second shots.”
The Stallions made 16 of 25 free throws on the night. Included in that effort was nine of 12 down the stretch.
“That was huge for us,” said Watson. “We were pretty good all night, and we made them when we needed them near the end.”
STAR CONTRIBUTIONS
Kendrick led the Stallions with 21 points. He had five field goals, a three-point goal, and made eight of 10 from the line.
“In the second half we starting running our offense to give him some scoring opportunities,” said Watson. “He really played well on offense for us tonight.”
ON DECK
The Stallions travel to Seneca on Tuesday for a third-round game. The Bobcats defeated Richland Northeast in the second round of play.
BOX SCORE
Lower Richland | 15 | 8 | 10 | 10 | - | 43 |
South Pointe | 13 | 11 | 8 | 21 | - | 53 |
Lower Richland - Ja’Cor Nelson 5, C. J. Nuttry 18, Savion Townsend 3, Clyde Trapp 4, TeVaughn Higgins 5, Kelvin Washington 4, Brian Jones 4. South Pointe - Quay Brown 8, Nick McCloud 8, Josh Wilkes 4, B. J. Davis 4, DaShawn Holley 6, Zy Williams 2, Derion Kendrick 21. 3-point goals: Lower Richland 3 (Nelson 1, Nuttry 2), South Pointe 2 (McCloud 1, Kendrick 1). Team Fouls - Lower Richland 15, South Pointe 20. Records: Lower Richland 12-14, South Pointe 18-5.
This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 10:12 PM with the headline "South Pointe Stallions threatened, but advance past Diamond Hornets."