Riverside coasted past host Fairbanks on Thursday for a 50-32 win and in the process clinched at least a share of the Northwest Central Conference title.

The Pirates are now 5-0 in the league and 10-7 overall. They have a one-game lead over Waynesfield-Goshen (4-1) with one NWCC game remaining. A win over Marion Catholic on Feb. 13 would claim an outright championship for the Pirates.

The Panthers and Pirates were tied 13-13 after the opening quarter, but an 11-3 run in the second quarter put the Pirates up 24-16 at halftime.

Riverside increased its lead to 37-27 by the end of the third quarter. The Pirates then outscored the Panthers 13-5 in the fourth quarter to wrap up the victory.

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