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Bruin Basketball Boys Fight For Another Close Win
Hernandez
Riverbank junior Juan Hernandez (5) lines up a shot from outside the three-point arc in second quarter action on the home court in varsity boys basketball. After enjoying an eight-point lead at the half, the Bruins held on to win by two, 60-58, against East Union of Manteca on Friday, Jan. 2. Ric McGinnis/The News

The Riverbank varsity boys basketball program brought yet another tight game to the home court during the holiday break this past week. Despite leading by 16 points at the start of the fourth quarter, the Bruins managed to just hang on to win by two, 60-58, over the East Union Lancers at the end.The game started slowly for RHS, finding themselves down 5-0 in the first minute of play. They remained down 8-0 with five minutes left in the first quarter, and a minute later, halfway through the frame, scored the first bucket for the home team.

With under two minutes left in the quarter, the Bruins were down 10-8, but ended the period tied at 13.

In the second quarter, Riverbank outscored their opponents, East Union of Manteca, ending the half up 35-23.

RHS picked up momentum in the third quarter, ending it ahead 50-34.

At that point, though, the Bruins lost some steam and with three minutes remaining, they had only scored six more points, while the Lancers were bouncing back, showing 56-46 then on the scoreboard. With two minutes left, RHS only led by a 56-50 margin.

With less than 25 seconds left on the clock, Riverbank was holding on to a 56-53 lead, but two free throws by John Obregon pushed them ahead 58-53 with just under 10 seconds left. About a second later, a Riverbank foul let EU get to within three points, 58-55, but half a second after that, a Lancer foul resulted in a 60-55 score.

The Lancers scored a three-point shot, then a slow-down strategy backfired on the Bruins when the buzzer sounded when the shot clock ran out, turning the ball over to East Union at the half court line. Their subsequent three-point attempt that would have won the game fell short, leaving Riverbank victorious.

Earlier Frosh and JV games found Riverbank on the losing side of the score.

Even though school remains out for the holiday break this week, the boys basketball teams were to host Enochs High on Monday, Jan. 5.

 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The varsity Lady Bruins lost at Weston Ranch of Stockton on Jan. 2, 58-35, with Olivia Luu named player of the game by the coach. RHS girls were to play at Buhach Colony in Atwater on Tuesday, Jan. 6, before hosting Skyline of Oakland on Thursday, Jan. 8.