The Riverside Girls’ basketball team was victorious again on their home floor in postseason play by defeating the CAM Cougars 50-31. The Bulldogs were led by Sophomore Guard Kayden Schnack who finished with 18 points.

The game was inspired by the defenses as both teams came out under full-court pressure, causing offenses to slip up early. The Bulldogs were ahead 14-10 after the first quarter, Courtney Follman had four for the Cougars, and Sophia Fenner led the Bulldogs with three.

Both teams didn’t shy away from the defensive pressure in the second half as CAM and Riverside were looking to get the ball in the paint the entire second quarter but the handsy defenses were picking everything apart.

The effect was altering to shooting from the outside down the stretch in the first half. Fenner hit her second three of the night just before the half and that boosted the Bulldogs to a 21-13 heading into the locker room.

CAM came out with energy early in the third but seized to a few critical mistakes, including fouling Schnack on a three-point attempt, in which she knocked down all three free throw attempts. The Cougars didn’t back down as they cut the Bulldog lead to four late in the third, highlighted by a Maddie Richter three. Shortly after that, Schnack took the game into her own hands with a pair of hard-nosed driving layups followed by a three.

Riverside took a 36-25 lead into the fourth and Kayden Schnack quickly hit a three and drew a foul in the process of shooting. The bench erupted.

The Bulldogs began to wear down the Cougar defense, resulting in fouling by CAM. The Riverside Bulldogs pulled through for a 19-point home victory to improve to 20-2 on the season. CAM finished their season at 13-11.

Head Coach Mark Jeppesen was pleased with his team’s efforts, especially on the defensive side of the basketball.

Riverside will take on St. Albert Wednesday night in the Class 1A Region 1 Final matchup at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. Tip-off is set for 7 P.M.