The rivalry runs deep between Riverside-Brookfield and Lyons Township, where the boundaries of both schools border one another. When the Lions trampled into Bulldog territory on Saturday night, the battle was fierce but the so-called “underdogs” prevailed.
RB sent Lyons whimpering back across the border with a 73-59 victory, good for bragging rights and a much-needed non-conference win. The Bulldogs are now 2-2 overall heading into their Suburban Prairie (East) Conference opener at Ridgewood on Friday at 7 p.m.
RB took an 11-0 lead to start the game, but the Lions closed the gap before halftime, coming to within one at 35-34.
The Bulldogs surged in the second half, and four RB players finished in double digits. Jon Balderman led his team with 22 points, while Chris Parrish turned out a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds to go along with his four assists.
Matt Sandrik added 13 points and Mark Gorman 12 for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs return home on Saturday to host Addison Trail in a non-conference match-up (7 p.m.).
RB girls off to 2-0 SPC start
The RB girls’ basketball team is off to a perfect start. The Bulldogs downed Westmont 72-31 on Saturday, pushing their SPC record to 2-0 and their overall record to 6-0.
Maggie McCloskey and Erin Pfieffer led RB with 17 points apiece. Maggie hit three three-pointers and dished out 12 assists. Pfeiffer grabbed 11 rebounds.
Katelyn McCloskey kicked in 14 points in the romp.
The Bulldogs opened Suburban Prairie (East) Conference play on Nov. 29 with a 49-46 barnburning victory over Lemont. Maggie McCloskey broke the school’s single game three-point record?”previously held by her?”by hitting 10 in the win. She finished with 34 points, including a game-winning free throw near the buzzer.
RB travels to Ridgewood and Saturday and resumes the Sweet 16 tournament at home against Buffalo Grove on Tuesday (7 p.m.).
