The Riverside Bulldogs girls basketball team started Thursday night’s doubleheader with a big win over the East Mills Wolverines. The Bulldog defense was excellent and although the offense started slow, Riverside was able to adjust and cruise to a 53-24 win.

When the players took the floor to start the game, they did so not for a tipoff but for free throws. Due to East Mills failing to bring their lineup to the scorers by the appropriate time, the Wolverines started the game with a technical foul. This allowed Karlie Miller and the Bulldogs to put the first point on the board before the game even began.

With the awkward start out of the way, the game was tipoffed. However, it took a while for both teams to get going. The first quarter was slow offensively for both teams. However, a 3-pointer from Adaline Martens and a field goal from Sydney Sommers allowed Riverside to end the quarter with a slim 8-4 lead.

The biggest story of the game for Riverside was the play of their defense. They were aggressive, physical, and quick. Throughout the night, they were able to force East Mills into mistakes consistently. The Wolverines scored all 4 points in the first quarter via the charity stripe and did not make their first field goal until the halfway point of the second quarter. Riverside allowed less than 10 points in every quarter.

Meanwhile, the Bulldog offense started to heat up. Before the end of the first half, Martens would hit her second three while Sommers added four more points in the second quarter. Leading 22-10 at the half the Riverside offense would continue to push the pace. The third quarter was the Bulldogs’ most productive quarter scoring 22 points. Sophia Taylor led the second half in scoring for Riverside as they would cruise to their fifth victory of the season.

Ultimately, the Bulldogs were the better team. Sommers led the charge for Riverside, finishing the game with 12 points, while three other Bulldogs had over five points. Despite the slow start head coach Mark Jeppesen was pleased with the way his offense was able to make adjustments.

As far as the Bulldog’s stifling defense, Jeppesen says that the fruits of their labor on their new defense system are starting to show.

Riverside moves to 5-1 with the win and will be back at home on Friday when they take on Logan-Magnolia.