Riverside’s girls basketball team delivered a fourth-quarter comeback Thursday as the Pirates rallied to take down host Ridgemont 36-26 in a local Northwest Central Conference contest.
The win moves the Pirates to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the NWCC, while the Gophers remain winless at 0-4, 0-2.
“Tonight was a good competitive game against a good, athletic team,” said Riverside head coach Bryce Hodge. “I’m proud of the girls for working hard and pulling out the tough league win. We more than struggled offensively, but thankfully our defensive effort helped us pull out the win.”
It was a tightly contested first half that saw Riverside lead 7-5 at the end of the first quarter. The Pirates clipped the Gophers 6-5 in the second quarter for a 13-10 lead at halftime.
Ridgemont took the momentum in the third quarter with a 12-8 run. That put the Gophers in front 22-21.
Lauryn Sanford carried Riverside in the fourth quarter. She scored nine of her team-high 13 points in the final period to spark a 15-4 run and win the game.
Sanford powered the Pirates’ scoring attack and also recorded six rebounds and four steals. Amber Waters tallied eight points with 10 rebounds and Alli Knight had seven points.
For the Gophers, Jennifer Jordan led with nine points and Brooke Nelson and Amanda Howland each added five points.
There was no junior varsity game.
Ridgemont plays again Saturday at home against Arlington. Riverside takes to the court Tuesday at Jackson Center.
RIVERSIDE 36, RIDGEMONT 26
RIVERSIDE (3-1, 2-0)
Knight 3 1-5 7; Schlumbohm 1 0-0 2; Sanford 2 8-9 13; Waters 1 6-12 8; Perk 3 0-2 6. Totals: 10 15-28 36.
RIDGEMONT (0-4, 0-2)
Nelson 2 1-2 5; Martino 2 0-0 4; Howland 1 3-4 5; Cromer 0 1-2 1; Shoffner 0 1-2 1; Jordan 2 3-4 9; Ward 0 1-2 1. Totals: 7 6-10 26.
Pirates 7 • 6 • 8 • 15 — 36
Gophers 5 • 5 • 12 • 4 — 26
Three pointers: Riverside 1 (Sanford); Ridgemont 2 (Jordan 2). Rebounds: Riverside 37 (Waters 10, Perk 7); Ridgemont 18. Team fouls: Riverside 17; Ridgemont 20.