The Richmond Senior men’s basketball team seems to be learning how to finish games this season.

After a close game for the first three quarters, which saw nine ties, the Raiders outscored Union Pines 21-5 in the fourth to pull away and defeat the Class 3A Vikings 65-46 Tuesday night at Raider Gymnasium.

The victory allowed Richmond to remain unbeaten with a perfect 4-0 record.

“I think our guys are hungry to win, and they’ve bought into what we’re doing,” Raiders coach David Laton said. “They want to have a good season, and I’m pleased with our start.”

Richmond starting point guard Brian Love led three Raiders in double figures with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Love rebounded from a seven-point performance on Monday. Forward Anthony Keane added 15 points and forward Will Freeman netted 11.

“We knew Brian would shoot the ball better, but I also thought he did a great job of guarding his man,” Laton said. “I also thought Anthony had a strong offensive game and Will had another solid game inside.”

The final tie came at 38-all as Richmond’s Deshawn Little sparked the Raiders off the bench with four quick points, giving Richmond a 42-38 lead with 1:56 left in the quarter. The Raiders led 44-41 going into the fourth.

Richmond took control of the last period from the start as Kasheem Reid’s layup and Love’s trifecta pushed the advantage to 49-41.

The Raiders continued their strong play in the final quarter, going on a 9-2 run capped off by Keane’s transition layup off a turnover. The spurt extended Richmond’s lead to 58-43 with 3:16 to play.

With the game well in hand, Love and Freeman connected on a play that got the crowd on their feet.

Love knifed through the lane and threw an under-handed pass off the middle of the backboard that was finished with Freeman catching the ball and throwing down a two-handed slam. The crowd-pleasing play capped Richmond’s 19-point victory.

Viking leading scorer Chris Henderson, who came into the game averaging 19 points per contest, was held three below his average with 16 points. Henderson was limited to one point in the fourth.

“I thought defensively, we locked them up in the fourth,” Laton said. “We were able to get some steals, we rebounded well and we were able to get our fast break going. Their leading scorer (Henderson) was killing us in the first half. But Kasheem did a great job in the fourth of fronting and denying him the ball. We also gave him help on the weak side.”

Laton added that the Raiders’ conditioning helped.

“I think our three hour practices are paying off, because we’re in good shape and hopefully, we will get into better shape.”

On Monday, Richmond fell behind Douglas Byrd 14-9 in the first, 30-18 at halftime, before the Raiders rallied back to win in the second half. Richmond got off to a faster start against the Vikings, leading 11-8 at the end of the first.

Union Pines grabbed a 20-16 lead in the second, but Richmond used a 6-0 burst capped by Love’s long triple to give the Raiders a 22-20 lead with 3:50 remaining in the quarter.

Love scored 14 of his game-high 18 points in the first half.

Quinton Quick gave Richmond a 28-26 halftime lead when his jumper rolled into the basket, before the buzzer sounded.

According to Laton, Tedarrius Wiley is scheduled to begin practicing with the team next week.

Wiley has been working on rehabbing an ankle sprained in the Raiders’ Class 4A state quarterfinal loss to Independence last month.

The Raiders will play three games next week. Richmond will host Anson on Monday at Raider Gym with tipoff at 7:30.

The following day the Raiders host South Robeson in a rematch on Tuesday. The Raiders defeated the Mustangs 53-47 on Nov. 24.

Richmond wrapped up the week at Cape Fear on Thursday.

“We’ve got a big week next week,” Laton said.

“We’re going to use this rest of the week to get ready and hopefully, we will continue to play well, when we return on the court.”

Contact sports reporter Corey Davis at 997-3111, ext. 44; e-mail cdavis@yourdailyjournal.com