The Riverside Brookfield boys basketball team did itself no favors falling behind Fenton 21 points en route to a disappointing 72-65 Metro Suburban Conference loss in Bensenville on Friday night. Fortunately, the Bulldogs can still apply some self help and assure themselves of at least a share of the conference title with either a home win Friday night against Elmwood Park or a Fenton loss to Ridgewood this weekend.

The Bulldogs (8-14, 6-2), who knocked off Fenton twice earlier in the season by scores of 60-57 and 66-65, struggled early in their attempt to pull off a hat trick of victories against the clearly motivated Bison. Fenton executed its offense with great precision in the first half building a 39-23 lead at the intermission. Gozie Umeadi (25 points) and John Tangen (21 points), who shot a combined 19-of-27 from the field, were a defensive nightmare for the Bulldogs

“We dug a hole that was too deep, getting down 21 points in the third quarter,” RB coach Tom McCloskey said. “[Fenton] was in sync offensively in the first half, and some of their matchups hurt us.”

Trailing by 21 in the third quarter, RB rallied by extending their defense and cut the Bison lead to 53-41 at the end of the period. Led by the play of Jon Baldermann (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Southern Illinois University recruit Chris Parrish (14 points, seven steals), the Bulldogs maintained their momentum, cutting the deficit to 58-57 with three minutes left in the game.

However, Fenton (11-11, 5-2) went on a 10-0 run triggered by a key bucket from Tangen to seal the critical conference win.

“This was really three different games wrapped up into one game,” said Fenton coach Dennis Cromer. “We led 39-23 at the half, then RB started creating turnovers and hitting shots, and finally we were able to pull it out in the end. It’s a great rivalry where both teams have respect for each other.”

Along with typically solid performances by Baldermann and Parrish, the Bulldogs also enjoyed contributions from Dan Oswald (12 points), Dontaye Bosley (12 points, six rebounds, five assists), Dan Papadatos (10 points), Jake Nash, Shane Kilcoyne and Anthony Kilcoyne.

The Bulldogs hope to celebrate Friday night (7 p.m.) in memorable fashion with a conference-clinching home win against Elmwood Park. A victory would also secure a sixth consecutive conference title for the Bulldogs.

If Fenton wins its last two games, both squads will claim first place with 7-2 conference marks; however, RB won two of three meetings against the Bison, technically giving them the edge and a probable conference award.

“We just have to get it done on Friday, and maybe get a little help from Ridgewood [against Fenton],” McCloskey said. “Elmwood Park is playing well, though. They took Ridgewood to overtime last weekend, and they are playing better than they were earlier in the season.”