NFL
With less than a minute left, Charlotte Crown and Savannah Steel were locked in a tight battle. Reigan Richardson stood in the corner, ready to change the game.
She seized the moment and turned possibility into reality.
Richardson’s late basket lifted the Crown to a 78-74 win, securing their second straight victory and another building block in their first UpShot League season.
How the Charlotte Crown Closed Out Savannah
Neither team could pull ahead for most of the game. The decisive moments came in the final minute.
With the score tied at 74, just over a minute left, Michelle Onyiah drew contact and converted the go-ahead free throw for a 75-74 Charlotte lead.
On the next play, the ball moved from Deja Kelly to Schaquilla Nunn, then to Richardson in the corner.
Richardson never hesitated.
“I didn’t think too much,” Richardson said. “I just let it fly.”
The shot splashed through, giving Crown a 78-74 lead and forcing a Savannah timeout. It was the defining play that secured Charlotte’s win.
Reagan Richardson Delivered Despite a Tough Shooting Night
Richardson’s game-winner was even more impressive given her struggles. She hit just one of eight shots before that possession. Yet, the Crown trusted their veteran guard when it mattered most.
That confidence paid off. Richardson finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals, providing steady production for a Charlotte team still forming its identity in the inaugural UpShot League season.
Even during Charlotte’s early losses, Richardson remained a consistent scorer, scoring 17, 14, 16, and 13 points during their six-game loss streak, keeping her team competitive.
From Duke and Georgia to the Charlotte Crown
Before joining Charlotte, Richardson played for Georgia and Duke, then turned pro overseas. In 2025-26, she averaged 14.6 points per game in Spain and later signed a training camp deal with the Minnesota Lynx.
Now back home, Richardson has quickly become one of the Crown’s most reliable players, helping shape the franchise in its first season.
What the Win Means for the Charlotte Crown
As one of four founding UpShot League franchises, the Charlotte Crown are still discovering themselves. Sunday’s win over Savannah Steel was another step in that process. They didn’t dominate, but executed when it counted most.
For a first-year franchise, learning to close games is as important as wins. With back-to-back victories, Charlotte is gaining confidence as the season progresses.
Against the Steel, Reigan Richardson made the decisive play Charlotte needed. For a young franchise, it was the kind of finish worth remembering.
