Late made free throws help Raleigh-Egypt defeat Forest Hill, 46-42
Southaven, MS. – Raleigh-Egypt built a 42-31 lead early in the fourth quarter off a 3 from combo guard Rickey Lofties following a potential 3-point play by senior combo guard Deovaunta Williams.
But, Forest Hill hung around and cut its deficit to 45-42 with less than 15 seconds left in the game.
Senior combo guard Coryontae Griggs made one of two free throws to seal it, giving the Pharaohs (3-0) the 46-42 victory in the opening game of the Mid-South Basketball Classic inside The Landers Center.
Williams led Raleigh-Egypt with 17 points and went 5 for 8 from the free throw line. His teammate, Quintavious Bailey, finished with 13.
The Patriots (2-1) held a brief 2-1 lead early in the first quarter, but back-to-back baskets from Griggs and Williams gave the Pharaohs the lead the rest of the way, but Forest Hill didn’t go anywhere. Raleigh-Egypt was up 40-30 early in the fourth quarter thanks to a 3-pointer by junior combo guard Rickey Lofties.
Keondre Montgomery, who picked up two early fouls in the first quarter, scored five quick points to pull Forest Hill within 44-39. Marc Evans converted on a 3-point play late in the fourth to pull his teammates within three. He finished with 16 points, while Montgomery added 15.
The Patriots, who matched the size with the Pharaohs, didn’t have enough scoring power to come out on top. The duo of Williams and Bailey proved to be a lot for the Patriots to handle.
Williams scored six of his 10 halftime points in the first quarter. His smooth ball handling skills allowed him to maneuver his way in and out of the lane. Bailey used his 6-foot-5 frame to attack the basket. He had seven. Montgomery picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and had to go the bench.
With Montgomery on the bench, Evans had to lead the team on offense. He sparked Forest Hill’s with a made basket to cut the Patriots’ deficit to 17-12.
Quick thoughts
- Raleigh-Egypt has multiple guys who can score the basketball. Williams and Bailey led the way, but Griggs, Kadrian Boyce, and Christopher McKnight can score as well. The Pharaohs are going to be a tough team to beat because of their hard play on both ends of the court.
- Montgomery made back-to-back 3s in the fourth quarter to start his team’s run to cut into its deficit, but he went cold from that point on. Raleigh-Egypt made sure he wouldn’t make another 3 and was able to keep him off the 3-point line.
- Griggs went 2 for 4 from the free throw line, while Williams made 5 of 8 shots. If the both of them could have made at least 70 percent of their foul shots, this game wouldn’t have went down the wire.