The Riverside Girls Basketball team defeated Tri-Center Friday night 60-21. The offensive rebounding by Junior Sydney Somers fueled the Bulldog offense early alongside a pair of Azlyn Clark three pointers in the first quarter. The second quarter was Tri-Center’s most productive quarter in the game scoring 15 of their 21 points in the eight-minute frame. The Trojans were led by Freshman Haley Harder who finished with eleven points and Senior Macie Schneckloth with eight points all in the second quarter. In the second half, the Bulldogs capitalized off turnovers and continued to feed the posts with 13 second half field goals. For the Trojans, they ran into a rut in the third and fourth quarters with just three points in the half.

The game started slow, as both teams were cold shooting from the field early on. That was until Riverside Head Coach Mark Jeppeson called a quick timeout and seemed to reiterate the Bulldogs’ gameplan. As soon as the teams broke the huddle Riverside fed their starting center, Junior Sydney Somers. Somers used her strength and size to assess her ground in the post and put in four baskets within five feet in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the outside shooting ramped up for Riverside as Junior Azlyn Clark knocked down a pair of threes in the opening frame to give Riverside a 21-4 lead after the first quarter.

Tri-Center found some momentum early in the second from Senior Macie Schneckloth as she was able to establish herself in the paint. The Trojan senior center had eight points in the second quarter, mixed in with five points from Haley Harder. Tri-Center had made the adjustments after the first quarter ended and packed the paint disallowing Somers to have so much room. Riverside became more aggressive with the smaller floor and earned three trips to the free throw line in the second quarter. The Bulldogs led 30-18 at the break.

In the second half, Riverside was able to steal the ball left and right from the Trojans creating several breakaway layups for Junior Sophia Fenner. Fenner had a nine-point third quarter which counted for over 75% of the third quarter Bulldog points. Tri-Center had another two from Haley Harder and a free throw from Sophomore Cameron Way. After three, it was 45-21 Riverside.

In the fourth, Riverside was able to get back to feeding the post but this time it was Junior Lilli Reed scoring six in the paint. Tri-Center failed to score in the fourth quarter and the Bulldogs won the game 60-21.

Riverside Head Coach Mark Jeppeson said in-game adjustments were the key to the victory.

Jeppeson says the posts stepped up in a big way in the win.

Pressure is the key on defense for the Bulldogs.

Riverside improved to 4-1 on the season while Tri-Center dropped to 2-2.