Landon Newland scored a game-high 23 points to lead host Ridgemont to a 55-45 Northwest Central Conference victory over Riverside on Friday.
The win moves the Gophers to 2-0 overall 1-0 in the NWCC, while the Pirates fall to 0-3, 0-1.
“Tonight was a tough one for us,” said Riverside head coach Seth Bodenmiller. “Ridgemont is a very good basketball team and I felt very good about our game plan coming in.
“Both teams started out struggling offensively to make shots, but once we finally started clicking, we started making way too many mental mistakes on both ends of the floor.”
Riverside’s slow start allowed Ridgemont to take an 11-6 lead to end the opening period. The Gophers were two points better in the second quarter (14-12) to carry a 25-18 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Ridgemont used a 17-11 run to create a 42-29 cushion.
Riverside got within single digits in the fourth quarter, but could not close the gap.
“Ridgemont built the lead up to about 15 with four minutes to go,” said Bodenmiller. “We fought back and got as close as six points in the final minute. We just couldn’t make the plays down the stretch that we needed to in order to close it out.”
Mason Stuck tallied 12 points and Jayden Streets added 11 points for the Gophers.
Kaden Burk paced the Pirates with 13 points and eight rebounds, Wade Auflick had 12 points and six rebounds and John Zumberger added eight points.
In junior varsity action, Riverside rolled past Ridgemont 67-35. Landon Stewart led the Pirates with 16 points and Ethan Jackson had 14 points.
Both teams are back on the court tonight. Riverside travels to Bradford for non-league action, while Ridgemont hosts Crestline in a non-league game.
RIDGEMONT 55, RIVERSIDE 45
RIDGEMONT (2-0, 1-0)
Streets 5 0-0 11; Martino 2 0-0 4; Reppart 2 0-1 5; Newland 9 2-3 23; Stuck 4 4-4 12. Totals: 22 6-8 55.
RIVERSIDE (0-3, 0-1)
Burk 6 1-3 13; Auflick 3 4-4 12; Zumberger 1 6-8 8; Burchett 0 3-3 3; Jackson 1 0-0 3; Rhoads 1 0-0 2; Long 1 0-0 2; Stewart 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14 14-18 45.
Gophers 11 • 14 • 17 • 13 — 55
Pirates 6 • 12 • 11 • 16 — 45
Three pointers: Ridgemont 3 (Streets, Reppart, Newland); Riverside 3 (Auflick 2, Jackson). Rebounds: Riverside 35 (Long 8, Burk 8). Assists: Riverside 3. Steals: Riverside 10. Turnovers: Riverside 14. Team fouls: Riverside 10; Ridgemont 15.