Cager Adan Mercado scored 24 points to lead the Bruins to a 64-61 win over Hughson at the Riverbank High School Homecoming on Friday.
"It was a well played game. Hughson won a couple of games in a row and was in top form," said Bruin varsity boys coach Jeff Jennings. "Mercado had a fabulous game. He made some big defensive plays and then hustled down the court for some good shots in offense."
Now 6-6 in league, the Bruins need to win both games this week to ensure a playoff berth, he added. While Tuesday's opponent, Livingston, also has a 6-6 record, the Bruins final foe is Ripon, which is 11-1 and top of the league.
Against Hughson, Riverbank lost the first quarter, 14-12; won the second, 21-19; tied the third, 14-14; and edged their opponent in a thrilling 18-17 final quarter.
Apart from Mercado's 29 points, Brandon Worsham chalked up 14 points, Andrew Villalobos and Kevin Cole, seven each, and Eddie Silva, five.
Mercado hit six of Riverbank's 10 3-pointers and Villalobos, Silva and Cole, two each.
In an earlier game against Hilmar on Tuesday, the Bruins lost by 46-38.
"It was a disappointing loss. We played so well against Escalon just before that," said Jennings. "Escalon was in second place and we played well enough to win at their place."
Against Hilmar, the Bruins came out flat and could not get a rhythm going, he added, lamenting a lack of consistency.
Riverbank tied Hilmar by10-10 in the opening quarter; slipped behind by 11-10 in the second period; edged their opponent, 12-11, in the third quarter; then collapsed, 14-6, in the final period.
Mercado again led the scoring with 12 points trailed by Jon Blount with eight and Villalobos, with seven.
Riverbank sank five out of eight attempts at the free throw line and scored five 3-pointers.
"It was a well played game. Hughson won a couple of games in a row and was in top form," said Bruin varsity boys coach Jeff Jennings. "Mercado had a fabulous game. He made some big defensive plays and then hustled down the court for some good shots in offense."
Now 6-6 in league, the Bruins need to win both games this week to ensure a playoff berth, he added. While Tuesday's opponent, Livingston, also has a 6-6 record, the Bruins final foe is Ripon, which is 11-1 and top of the league.
Against Hughson, Riverbank lost the first quarter, 14-12; won the second, 21-19; tied the third, 14-14; and edged their opponent in a thrilling 18-17 final quarter.
Apart from Mercado's 29 points, Brandon Worsham chalked up 14 points, Andrew Villalobos and Kevin Cole, seven each, and Eddie Silva, five.
Mercado hit six of Riverbank's 10 3-pointers and Villalobos, Silva and Cole, two each.
In an earlier game against Hilmar on Tuesday, the Bruins lost by 46-38.
"It was a disappointing loss. We played so well against Escalon just before that," said Jennings. "Escalon was in second place and we played well enough to win at their place."
Against Hilmar, the Bruins came out flat and could not get a rhythm going, he added, lamenting a lack of consistency.
Riverbank tied Hilmar by10-10 in the opening quarter; slipped behind by 11-10 in the second period; edged their opponent, 12-11, in the third quarter; then collapsed, 14-6, in the final period.
Mercado again led the scoring with 12 points trailed by Jon Blount with eight and Villalobos, with seven.
Riverbank sank five out of eight attempts at the free throw line and scored five 3-pointers.
