After a first half which lacked luster, Riverbank gathered steam near the game's end to thrash Ripon Christian, 58-41, in varsity girls' basketball on Tuesday.
'It was a close game in the first half. We were up only by two points at halftime,' said Bruin coach Scott Erickson. "But we substituted and ran the plays and extended our lead with a strong fourth quarter. Our rebounding was very good."
Playing at home, the Bruin girls trailed by14-13 in the first quarter, but took a small lead with a 9-6 second quarter. Things looked up after halftime, as Riverbank outscored RC, 15-10, in the third quarter, then sealed their doom with a 21-11 final period.
Courtney Brock led the Bruin scoring with 16 points. Monica Cardenas hit 12 points; Janet Moya, 10; Sonia Naranjo, nine; Nicole Fatone, six; Karen Vizcaino, three; and Julissa Perez, two.
Cardenas and Fatone each hit a 3-pointer. Riverbank came to the free throw line 27 times and sank 14 of their attempts.
"Courtney Brock and Moya played very strongly on the inside,' said Erickson. "And Cardenas contributed a lot at point guard."
Going against cross-town rival Escalon in the Cougars lair on Thursday, however, the Bruin girls lost like their brothers, on the next day. The score was 46-37 in Escalon's favor.
The Riverbank girls held Escalon to a 7-7 tie in the first quarter and yielded 9-6 in the second period. Riverbank almost caught up with a 12-10 third quarter. But Escalon came romping back with a powerful rally of 20-12 points in the last period.
"They play tough and aggressive. I have to give them credit," Erickson said of the Cougars. "They kept us off balance. We had our chances, but did not take full advantage. It was a really close game until the last quarter. Then they made most of their shots and extended their lead."
This time, Moya was the top scorer for Riverbank with 14 points. Cardenas posted 12 points; Naranjo, five; Brock, four; and Fatone, two. Cardenas and Naranjo each hit a 3-pointer.
At the foul line, the Bruins made 15 baskets in 22 attempts.
The week's play leaves Riverbank with a 5-4 league record and 9-12 overall.
'It was a close game in the first half. We were up only by two points at halftime,' said Bruin coach Scott Erickson. "But we substituted and ran the plays and extended our lead with a strong fourth quarter. Our rebounding was very good."
Playing at home, the Bruin girls trailed by14-13 in the first quarter, but took a small lead with a 9-6 second quarter. Things looked up after halftime, as Riverbank outscored RC, 15-10, in the third quarter, then sealed their doom with a 21-11 final period.
Courtney Brock led the Bruin scoring with 16 points. Monica Cardenas hit 12 points; Janet Moya, 10; Sonia Naranjo, nine; Nicole Fatone, six; Karen Vizcaino, three; and Julissa Perez, two.
Cardenas and Fatone each hit a 3-pointer. Riverbank came to the free throw line 27 times and sank 14 of their attempts.
"Courtney Brock and Moya played very strongly on the inside,' said Erickson. "And Cardenas contributed a lot at point guard."
Going against cross-town rival Escalon in the Cougars lair on Thursday, however, the Bruin girls lost like their brothers, on the next day. The score was 46-37 in Escalon's favor.
The Riverbank girls held Escalon to a 7-7 tie in the first quarter and yielded 9-6 in the second period. Riverbank almost caught up with a 12-10 third quarter. But Escalon came romping back with a powerful rally of 20-12 points in the last period.
"They play tough and aggressive. I have to give them credit," Erickson said of the Cougars. "They kept us off balance. We had our chances, but did not take full advantage. It was a really close game until the last quarter. Then they made most of their shots and extended their lead."
This time, Moya was the top scorer for Riverbank with 14 points. Cardenas posted 12 points; Naranjo, five; Brock, four; and Fatone, two. Cardenas and Naranjo each hit a 3-pointer.
At the foul line, the Bruins made 15 baskets in 22 attempts.
The week's play leaves Riverbank with a 5-4 league record and 9-12 overall.
