Richmond Colts complete huge upset of Argyle with last second free throw
You just need two words to describe this one: bracket buster.
The Richmond Colts completed the upset of the tournament, as they defeated Argyle 81-80 in the dying moments. Murad Mohammed hit a free throw late to give his team the huge upset and comeback from a 10 point fourth quarter hole.
“You got to want it more” said Richmond head coach Brandon Harbour on what he said to the team to start the fourth quarter. “Go out there and play with heart. We got to play quicker in transition and get to the hoop.”
The game started off extremely close, with neither team managing to get more than a four point lead. Murah Mohammed of Richmond had two deep three as well as Alex Wallace of Argyle to eventually tie it at 23 after one. The second quarter was much of the same, as the teams traded baskets throughout the frame. Richmond in the first half shot 50% from three and 43.2% from the field as a whole.
Self inflicted wounds hurt Richmond in the third quarter. Missed free throws and layups cost them, illustrated when Evan Brusse missed an uncontested layup only to see Harrison Archer hit a three on the other end.
Argyle led by 10 after the third quarter, but in the fourth the comeback began for Richmond. They scored seven straight to start to cut the lead down, then to within two at the five minute mark. They took a one point lead via Mohammed, then Argyle answered back with a mini run of their own to take the lead back — Mac Brown hit a corner three that seemed to end it.
It came down to the final minute. After Daniel Afanasivevskyy made a clutch three point play to give the Colts the lead. Mellinghaus went two for two from the line to tie it, but Mohammed went down the court and was fouled trying to make the layup.
At the line for two, he hit one to give his team the lead, then his teammate secured the rebound off the miss. Just like that, Richmond completed the biggest upset so far of the AAA tournament.
“That’s exactly what I expect from him” said Harbour on Mohammed. “He’s been a leader for five years now, and I know he really wants it. His goal is to make the final this year, and he’s going to put on a show every single night”
Murad Mohammed had 27 points and 10 rebounds and was named the game MVP. Teammate Daniel Afanasivevskyy had 26 points and 14 rebounds. For Argyle, Alex Wallace had 26 points while Anton Mellinghaus had 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Richmond plays Pitt Meadows tomorrow at 5:15 pm.
Written By: Nick Bondi