The Riverside Boys Basketball team beat the Exira-EHK Spartans 70-26 Monday night to win their first game of the season. The Bulldogs had three players finish in double figures and ten total players on the roster score. Riverside never trailed in the game and had the ability to turn offense into defense all night long. Exira-EHK was unable to keep up with the tempo of the Bulldogs front court and control the basketball due to the stifling Riverside defense. A 24-point lead at halftime ended in a 44 point with both team’s entire rosters entering the game.

Right from the get-go, Riverside turned steals into easy layups. Within the first minute, Junior Cole Jeppeson had two steals and finishes at the rim to give the Bulldogs the early lead. Senior Dane Martens led the scoring column with eight first quarter points which included two three pointers. Senior Guard Austin Rasmussen was consistent throughout the game for Exira-EHK, hitting one of his three three-pointers in the first quarter. The Bulldogs led 20-5 after the first.

In the second, Senior Brody Henderson got going on the offensive side knocking down a pair of threes early to begin the quarter. Martens and Jeppsen followed up with a pair of threes of their own shortly after. Only two Bulldog points in the second weren’t from beyond the arc and took a 34-10 lead into the half.

As the second half began, the ferocious defense returned for Riverside and caused trouble for Exira-EHK. Riverside just like the first quarter, fed off of the turnovers the defense was able to create and turn it into offense. Exira-EHK almost the entire night ran a zone defense, preventing the Bulldogs to get much inside resulting in many three pointers taken. Fortunately, enough, for Riverside they were hitting them. Riverside hit four third quarter threes and took a 54-19 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth, both teams emptied their benches, and the reserves played a majority of the fourth quarter. Junior Guards Peyton Amdor and Owen Fenner led the way for Riverside and Exira-EHK’s Austin Rasmussen had 13 for the Spartans in the 70-26 game.

Riverside Head Coach Nick Kroon was pleased with the start and noticed the three-point attempts increase in the second quarter.

Kroon wants to see the same level of intensity on defense night in and night out.

Tempo is the name of the game for the Bulldogs.

Riverside is back in action Tuesday night in a home game with Missouri Valley while Exira-EHK hosts Ar-We-Va.