Riverside’s boys basketball team struggled to find the basket during the second half of Saturday’s game against visiting Houston and the result was a 59-50 loss in non-league action.

The Pirates are now 10-9 on the season.

“We started hot from the three-point line, but we were 5 of 29 shooting in the second half,” said RHS head coach Nathan Millice. “Houston got hot down the stretch to beat us.”

Riverside jumped out to a 23-14 lead after one quarter and the Pirates held a 36-30 advantage at halftime.

The Wildcats took over in the second half by outscoring Riverside 29-14 over the final two quarters.

Ethan Snapp led the Pirates with 14 points, Brandon Clark scored 10 points and Jacob Hurley and Kyle Herron each added eight points.

Houston won the junior varsity game 40-38. Eric Egbert and Chad Keith each had nine points for the Pirates.

Riverside begins tournament action at 2 p.m. Saturday against Troy Christian at Piqua High School.

HOUSTON 59, RIVERSIDE 50

HOUSTON Anderson 8 2-4 19; Cornett 5 4-7 17; Mullen 5 5-6 17; Hughes 3 0-0 6. Totals: 21 11-17 59.
RIVERSIDE (10-9) Linson 2 2-4 6; Snapp 6 2-3 14; Clark 4 1-2 10; J. Hurley 3 1-2 8; Baughman 0 1-4 1; Herron 3 0-0 8; McFarland 1 0-0 3. Totals: 19 7-15 50.

Wildcats 14 16 15 14 — 59
Pirates 23 13 8 6 — 50

Three pointers: Riverside 5 (Herron 2, Clark, J. Hurley, McFarland); Houston 6 (Cornett 3, Mullen 2, Anderson).
Rebounds: Riverside 28 (Linson 6).
Assists: Riverside 12 (Clark 5).
Steals: Riverside 9 (Linson 2).
Turnovers: Riverside 17.
Team fouls: Riverside 20; Houston 12.