An early season showdown between unbeaten rivals Lyons Township and Riverside-Brookfield ended up quite a shootout on Saturday. After all the scoring spurts settled, LT held on for a 74-65 nonconference win over the host Bulldogs.

Riverside-Brookfield (4-1) started the game auspiciously with a 16-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, however, the Lions exploded offensively in the second quarter and outscored RB 24-6 – highlighted by an 18-0 run. The Lions had a 37-22 lead by halftime. The Bulldogs made just 2-of-15 shots in the second quarter.

“Someone asked me if that [second] quarter was the best one for us this season,” said LT coach Tom Sloan. “I’d say it has to be. We played solid defense and held [RB] scoreless for most of the quarter.”

Armed with prolific scorers Sean McGonagill and Ryan Jackson though, the Bulldogs answered with a 17-2 run deep in the second half. Riverside-Brookfield cut the LT lead to 65-61 with 1:50 left in the game, but the Lions’ clutch free throw shooting secured their victory. Lyons made 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute of action.

“It was a game of momentum swings,” Sloan said. “RB is too good a team not to make a run. McGonagill and Jackson were on a mission. Our game plan was making everything difficult for them.”

Austin Lusson led LT (5-0) with 18 points, while Dan Lalonde (11 points, 15 rebounds), Nick Burt (10 points), Justin Phipps (10 points), Nick Zeisloft (9 points), Jimmy Stamas (8 points) and Spencer Mahoney (5 points) all played key roles.

McGonagill scored a game-high 32 points and pulled down six rebounds, while Jackson tallied 22 points and eight boards. Riverside-Brookfield center Terrence Reed contributed six points, six rebounds and six blocked shots.

“We had a rough second quarter,” said RB coach Tom McCloskey. “We got away from some of the basics that we were doing the other three quarters. I was proud that our guys didn’t fold up and we made a great run in the fourth quarter.”

Both teams rolled to conference victories on Friday. Lyons downed Proviso West 71-59. Lalonde scored 18 points for the Lions, while Phipps added 16 and Nick Zeisloft 12.

Fueled by Jackson (18 points, four assists), McGonagill (17 points, seven rebounds), and Reed (9 points, 11 rebounds), RB crushed Elmwood Park 96-50. Reserve Charlie Morrissey added 15 points in the fourth quarter.