The Riverside Brookfield boys basketball team knows how to put on a show.

The Bulldogs improved to 6-10 overall and 5-0 in the Metro Suburban Conference with a thrilling 66-65 over Fenton last Friday. Despite amassing a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter, RB watched the lead slowly dissolve, with Fenton snagging a 65-64 lead with just 11 seconds remaining. RB coach Tom McCloskey, who also recorded his 100th win, promptly called a timeout and designed a play for standout forward Chris Parrish. The senior delivered, slashing to the basket for a layup and a narrow one-point lead. Staunch Bulldog defense ran out the remaining three seconds to ensure the win.

“We blew a nine-point lead in the fourth, because we had some trouble taking care of the basketball,” McCloskey said. “Still, the guys hung tough and Chris stepped up for us. It really was a great win.”

The contest was close throughout, with the Bulldogs leading just 35-30 at the half and 53-49 after three quarters of play. With the win, the Bulldogs knocked Fenton two games back of first place, giving RB sole possession and some much-needed confidence entering the last four games of the regular season.

“This really was a huge win because we would have been tied for first in the conference had we lost to Fenton,” McCloskey said. “I thought our whole team played well, I thought everybody chipped in and got the job done for us. I thought Anthony and Shayne Kilcoyne both played their best games, but really it was a team effort.”

Parrish led the Bulldogs with 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, while sophomore point guard Dan Oswald chipped in 15 points and eight assists. Jon Baldermann added 13 points and nine rebounds.

Gozzi Umeadi paced Fenton with 24 points.

Now, the Bulldogs must focus on their four remaining conference games and staying healthy. The team has been fortunate in this department, with only senior forward Jake Nash suffering from an injured quadriceps. Still, McCloskey expects him back in the lineup within the next couple weeks.

The Bulldogs travel to Elmwood Park on Friday (7 p.m.).

“Our goal is to get back to .500 and then focus on the playoffs,” said McCloskey. “We set that goal at Christmas and I think we can achieve it.”