Riverside’s boys basketball team came away with a crucial win Tuesday as it edged host Lima Temple Christian 59-56 in Northwest Central Conference action.

The win moves the Pirates into a tie for first place in the NWCC with Lima Perry. Both teams hold 3-0 records and will battle Friday at Perry with the winner gaining sole possession of first place.

Tuesday’s win also improves RHS to 5-5 overall, while LTC falls to 4-7, 2-2.

Riverside held a four-point lead entering the fourth quarter (44-40) and used its defense to hang on for the win.

“Temple is a good team,” said Riverside head coach Nathan Millice. “I thought our defense stepped up at times and made some crucial plays for us. Kyle Baughman also had a great game for us.”

Baughman scored 13 points for the Pirates and also had a team-high 13 rebounds. Kyle Herron and Kyle Hurley each added 13 points, while Hurley led the Pirates with four assists and two steals.

LTC held a 15-13 lead after the opening quarter, but the Pirates outscored the Pioneers 20-13 in the second stanza. That gave Riverside a 33-28 lead at halftime. T

he Pirates won the junior varsity game 43-32, with Eric Egbert scoring 14 points for Riverside.

RIVERSIDE 59, LTC 56

RIVERSIDE (5-5, 3-0) Linson 2 3-4 7; Clark 2 2-3 6; Baughman 4 5-8 13; Herron 4 1-1 13; Whitehead 2 1-2 7; K. Hurley 5 1-2 13. Totals: 19 13-20 59.
LTC (4-7, 2-2) High 5 1-2 12; A. Sutton 4 0-0 10; T. Sutton 4 2-2 11; Holloway 5 0-0 13; Winkelman 2 0-0 4; Krochler 2 2-2 6. Totals: 22 5-6 56.

Pirates 13 20 11 15 — 59
Pioneers 15 13 12 16 — 56

Three pointers: Riverside 8 (Herron 4, Whitehead 2, K. Hurley 2); LTC 7 (Holloway 3, A. Sutton 2, T. Sutton, High).
Rebounds: Riverside 34 (Baughman 13).
Assists: Riverside 12 (K. Hurley 4).
Steals: Riverside 3 (K. Hurley 2).
Turnovers: Riverside 18.
Team fouls: Riverside 9; LTC 13.