Richmond, playing without leader scorer Andrew Kroft, focused on attacking Lafayette Jeff on the interior to start the game. Cleevas Craig responded to that plan, scoring Richmond's first seven points and totaling nine of their 12 in the first quarter of play. The 6'8 senior was the aggressor whenever the ball hit his hands, making quick moves and embracing and finishing through contact.

 

Lafayette Jeff would respond after Richmond jumped out to an early 7-3 advantage by embarking on a 22-5 run spanning the end of the first and beginning of the second quarter. The Broncho lead would reach a peak at 25-12 before back to back threes from Tylan Harris would put an end to that stretch. Richmond would claw back to within five at the halftime break as Craig and Harris combined for 25 of their 30 first half points.

 

Tylan Harris, a 5'10 sophomore, would continue his strong play from the second quarter by scoring seven points in the first few minutes of the third quarter. Lafayette Jeff was able to maintain their lead, however, thanks to transition offense. Running on every Richmond miss or turnover, the Bronchos got high percentage opportunities time after time to counteract the scorching offense from Richmond. The Jeff lead would again reach double figures, this time at 12, before Richmond would close to within seven entering the final eight minutes.

 

Tylan Harris hit his seventh triple of the night early on in the fourth and was preventing from hitting his eighth by fouling the red hot sophomore. Harris would make all three foul shots to give the Red Devils their first lead since the opening quarter. Braxton Barnhizer would respond on the next possession with a three pointer to regain the lead for Jeff.

 

Another hero on the night for Richmond was senior guard Tytan Newton. After being held to two points on 1/6 shooting in the first half, the 6' Newton used his quick first step to score 17 of his 19 points in the second half, taking over the slack from Cleevas Craig, who was saddled with foul trouble, particularly in the fourth quarter, before fouling out late. Newton was able to get into the teeth of the Broncho defense, daring fouls and finishing in the lane.

 

Ashton Beaver would get a steal and breakaway to give Jeff the lead back, but a bucket from Newton and a Jordan Stolle triple would give Richmond a 70-67 lead. Braxton Barnhizer would tie the game back up with a three pointer form the edge of the center circle, but on the ensuing possession, Richmond was able to force an over-aggressive Jeff defense to help on one side of the floor, leaving Jordan Stolle alone on the weak side. His three from the wing would give Richmond a three point lead that they would never again relinquish.

 

Following up a couple of sketchy inbounds passes that allowed Lafayette Jeff to close within two points with under 10 seconds left, Richmond was able to get a pair of Tytan Newton free throws for the final margin, slamming the door on a potential perfect NCC season for the Bronchos.

 

Richmond would total 49 second half points thanks to help from 12/23 shooting overall from behind the arc. Lafayette Jeff would end up hitting just 9/29 from three point range on the night. Tylan Harris led Richmond with 28 points, while Tytan Newton and Cleevas Craig each added 19. The Barnhizer brothers were the high scorers for Jeff, with Braxton finishing with 27 while Brooks poured in 21.