The Riverside-Brookfield girls basketball team rolled to a 65-25 win over Ridgewood in Metro Suburban Conference action on Friday.

With all due respect to the visiting Rebels, the contest wasn’t even that close. The Bulldogs (19-5, 8-1) raced out to an improbable 43-2 lead with two minutes left until halftime, overwhelming the Rebels with defensive pressure. In the first quarter, Ridgewood seemed rattled committing ten turnovers while falling behind 24-2.

Celebrating Senior Night, RB seniors Jessie Hutchens, Anna Tess, Kristy Frampton, Kristin Kleinmeyer and Shaquita Slater set an inspired tone from the opening tip. The Bulldogs sixth senior, Anita Balciunas, quickly entered the game as the onslaught continued for the fast-breaking Bulldogs.

Tess (17 points, 5 steals) scored eight points and Hutchens added five early as the Bulldogs opened on a 19-0 run. Ridgewood center Mallory McCormack knocked down a pair of free throws with 2:46 left in the first quarter to put the Rebels on the board. In the second quarter, Slater (10 points, 6 rebounds) scored eight points in a row to extend RB’s advantage to 32-2. From there, the Bulldogs’ deep bench took over. Led by the inside work of Balciunas (7 points, 7 rebounds) and playmaking ability of junior point guard Maggie Zeleny (6 points, 4 steals), RB was long gone. Reserves Kelsey Egger, Kiley Rusen, Meghan Orgler, Julie Minella and Yasmin Gonzalez also saw plenty of action after the RB seniors established a comfortable lead.

“Our starters are amazing, but when we can get that intensity off the bench it’s even better for our team,” Zeleny said. “Coming up from sophomore year, it’s a whole different ballgame on the varsity level. These kinds of games get us to really bring up our intensity and playing level.”

In the third quarter, Ridgewood (5-15) played much better despite being outscored 14-9 by the Bulldogs. Tara Coyle sparked the Rebels’ improved play with a team-high 11 points.

After the game, seniors received flowers from RB Athletic Director Otto Zeman and posed for pictures with their parents.

“We were just so riled up because it was Senior Night,” Frampton said. “I love playing with these girls and being a part of this team. We like to get everyone in the game. It’s not even about who scores the most points, it’s about just playing your best.”

The night was certainly emotional for Hutchens, the Bulldogs’ star point guard. Her sister, Meghan, an RB assistant coach for Larry Rocco this season, left the team last Thursday to pursue professional basketball in the Netherlands.

“She was offered a big opportunity to play pro basketball overseas,” Jessie Hutchens said. “I don’t blame her for taking it because I think it’s a once-in a lifetime opportunity. I’m glad she took it.”

The Bulldogs, who defeated Willowbrook 61-50 on Monday night, host Illiana Christian on Friday at 5:30 p.m.