Riverside’s boys basketball team played one of its better games Friday, but it wasn’t enough as host Elgin held on for a 41-38 Northwest Central Conference victory.
The Pirates drop their record to 3-13 overall and 2-4 in the NWCC standings. The Comets improve to 12-5, 3-2.
“This entire game was a battle,” said RHS head coach Seth Bodenmiller. “I thought that we were very good on the defensive side of the ball and that our guys came out ready to play.
“Unfortunately, we had some very untimely mistakes on offense and gave up a couple of rebounds at the end that allowed Elgin to seal the game. Overall, I am still proud of the fight that our guys continue to show and we’ll get back to it next week.”
Riverside led Elgin 13-11 after the opening quarter, but the Comets came back with a 10-5 run in the second quarter. That put Elgin on top 21-18 at halftime.
The Pirates used a 12-8 effort in the third quarter to go up by one (30-29). However, the Comets were able to pull out the win in the final period with a 12-8 spurt.
Wade Auflick led the Pirates with 11 points, Kaden Burk had eight points with six rebounds and John Zumberger added six points with six rebounds.
In junior varsity action, Elgin defeated Riverside 33-25. Jayden Burchett led the Pirates with 13 points.
Riverside hosts Ansonia on Tuesday for a non-league game.
ELGIN 41, RIVERSIDE 38
RIVERSIDE (3-13, 2-4)
Auflick 4 0-0 11; Burk 4 0-0 8; Zumberger 1 3-6 6; Jackson 2 0-0 5; Long 2 0-0 4; Rhoads 1 0-0 2; Whitaker 1 0-0 2. Totals: 15 3-6 38.
ELGIN (12-5, 3-2)
Walker 1 0-0 3; Aler 0 0-0 0; Rapp 4 3-6 17; Patterson 6 3-3 16; Holycross 11 2-3 24; Anderson 0 0-0 0; Ling 0 0-0 0; Purnell 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 8-12 57.
Pirates 13 • 5 • 12 • 8 — 38
Comets 11 • 10 • 8 • 12 — 41
Three pointers: Riverside 5 (Auflick 3, Zumberger, Jackson); Elgin 3 (Sager, Sheridan, Rife). Rebounds: Riverside 31 (Long 9); Elgin 23. Assists: Riverside 8. Steals: Riverside 6. Turnovers: Riverside 14. Team fouls: Riverside 13; Elgin 11.