PINE RIDGE — Marvin Richard III’s 73-point outburst ended a 73-year reign in the record book.  

The Pine Ridge High School senior erupted for 73 points in a 108-30 win over Lakota Tech in the Region 7A tournament on March 3. 

Richard III’s 73-point performance broke the state’s single-game scoring record, surpassing the previous record of 72 points set by Argonne’s Delbert Gillam in 1953.

Richard III hit 29 field goals, finished 12-of-12 at the free-throw line and nailed three 3-pointers. On Feb. 10 1953, Gillam set the fabled record in a Little Hickory Conference boys basketball win over Canova. Gillam totaled 31 field goals and 10 free throws in the Arrows’ 126-81 win over the Eagles. 

At halftime, Gillam scored 30 points and erupted for 42 points in the second half. Gillam, who played before the 3-point line era, averaged 26 points per game during his senior season. 

Gillam, Richard III and Frederick’s Bob Wolff are the only South Dakota boys basketball players to score 70 or more points in a game. Wolff had a 70-point game in 1952. 

Last season, Richard III set the Class A boys basketball scoring record with a 62-point performance, surpassing both West Central’s Josh Mueller (60) and Mahpiya Luta’s Alejandro Rama (60). 

Richard III began March 3 as the 10th all-time leading scorer in South Dakota boys basketball history. The 73-point outing catapulted Richard III into sixth on the all-time scoring list, surpassing Warner’s Chuck Welke, West Central’s Josh Mueller and Wakonda’s Milt Sorenson.  

Richard III now has 2,622 career points, and is inching toward No. 5 on the scoring list. White River’s Joe Sayler (2,702) is fifth on the all-time scoring list. 

Pine Ridge hosts Winner on Friday in the Region 7A tournament.