Riverside’s boys basketball team battled its way back in the second half against visiting Elgin on Friday to pull out a 41-34 Northwest Central Conference victory.
The Pirates are now 5-9 overall and 3-2 in the league, while the Comets fall to 4-7, 1-4.
“Their size really bothered us in the first half,” said RHS head coach Seth Bodenmiller.
“I thought we got a lot of good looks at the rim, but we just couldn’t knock shots down. Our defense and rebounding allowed us to stay in the game and then helped us pull away in the second half.”
Elgin managed to take a 12-10 lead after the opening quarter. Riverside settled in during the second quarter with a 7-5 run. That tied the game at 17-17 entering halftime.
The Pirates pulled away in the third quarter, going on a 10-2 run to take a 27-19 advantage.
Riverside was able to continue to fight off the Comets in the fourth quarter to get the win.
John Zumberger carried the Pirate offense by scoring 25 of the team’s 41 points. Kale Long added six points with 11 rebounds.
In junior varsity action, Riverside defeated Elgin 57-46. Jayden Burchett led the Pirates with 19 points and Dominik Stotler had 12 points.
Riverside hosts Triad today in a local non-league game.
RIVERSIDE 41, ELGIN 34
RIVERSIDE (5-9, 3-2)
Zumberger 7 7-9 25; Long 3 0-1 6; Burk 1 2-2 4; Platfoot 1 2-2 4; Jackson 0 2-2 2. Totals: 12 13-16 41.
Comets 12 5 2 15 — 34
Pirates 10 7 10 14 — 41
Three pointers: Riverside 4 (Zumberger 4). Rebounds: Riverside 26 (Long 11); Elgin 22. Team fouls: Riverside 12.