Lower Richland’s Malcolm Rhett dunks for two of his 21 points against A.C. Flora. Photo by Paulene Cruse While the weather may have been cold outside, the action inside the Diamond Mine was hot between the A.C. Flora Falcons and the Lower Richland Diamond Hornets. Malcolm Rhett led the way with 21 points for the Diamond Hornets as they pulled out a 74–69 overtime thriller. Keith Johnson chipped in 18 to help Lower Richland outlast A.C. Flora.

The Falcons were led by a balanced attack. Lamont Todd had 18 points while Akeem Williams, Marquise Simuel, and Matthew Howard each contributed with 11 points each.

The first quarter was a clear indication of the entire game as neither team led by more than three points. There were eight lead changes and seven ties. Lower Richland scored first with a Johnson basket, but Todd answered with four straight to give A.C. Flora an early 4–2 lead. As time was winding down in the first quarter, Simuel hit a three pointer to give A.C. Flora a 17–14 lead entering the second quarter.

A.C. Flora extended the lead to five on two occasions early in the second quarter, once at 19–14 and then at 21–16. However, an 8–3 run by Lower Richland tied the score once at 24–24. Four points from Rhett led the way for the Diamond Hornets, along with four points from Dominique Miller. Another short run by the Diamond Hornets, 4–2, gave Lower Richland a two point lead late in the second quarter. Two free throws by Todd tied the score, before a late free throw from Rhett gave Lower Richland a 29–28 lead at halftime.

The third quarter was more of the same. Lower Richland jumped out to an early 37–32 lead after two three pointers from Johnson and a basket from Miller sandwiched around baskets from Simuel and Howard for A.C. Flora. Later in the third quarter, A.C. Flora rallied and took a 47–45 lead after two free throws by Edward Kirkland. However four straight points by Rhett gave Lower Richland the lead back.

After Kirkland hit two more free throws to tie the game, Torrance Outing made a basket just before the end of the quarter to give Lower Richland a 51–49.

Like the previous three quarters, the fourth was tight, with multiple ties, however no lead changes. Rhett scored the first two points of the quarter to extend the lead to 53–49 for the Diamond Hornets, but the Falcons cut the lead 62–60 late in the fourth quarter.

After Outing made one of two free throws, A.C. Flora was left with a chance to tie the game. On the last possession for the Falcons, Akeem Williams drained a three pointer to tie the game at 63–63 to send the game in overtime.

The Diamond Hornets took an early lead in the overtime period and never gave it up. They outscored A.C. Flora early on 8–5 to take an early 71–68 advantage. Johnson scored four points for the Diamond Hornets, while Miller and Outing each contributed a basket a piece.

After Edward Stephens made one of two free throws late in the period, A.C. Flora was again presented with an opportunity to tie the game. However, Williams’ three point attempt missed and Lower Richland rebounded the loose ball. An intentional foul sent Johnson to the foul line. He drained both shots to seal the win for Lower Richland.