Schools
Ridge Basketball Sees Lead Slide to 1-point Loss
Devils 15-point lead leads to tough loss to Hillsborough in game's final moments.
The boys basketball team played host to Hillsborough Tuesday night, and built up a lead that slipped away to their opponents in the second half of the game. The Devils struggled in the third quarter unable to keep up with surging Raiders, with the Hillsborough team finally capturing a 52-51 win.
FINAL
Hillsborough (16-6) 12 5 17 18 52 Ridge (12-8) 15 14 8 14 51IN SHORT
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Tuesday night's basketball game was a tale of two teams, and both of them were Ridge.
During the first half, the Devils dominated the court. Led by Dillon Mahon and his 13 first-half points, Ridge was up by 15 points just minutes into the second half.
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But Hillsborough was not to be denied a comeback. Holding the Devils to only two baskets from the floor and three free throws in the third quarter, the Raiders turned the tables. With a pair of 3's from Kevin Grek and five points from Devonn Foster, the Raiders finished up the third quarter down only by three points, with Ridge still holding on to a 37-34 lead.
The fourth quarter was a battle of teams unwilling to back down. When either team took an advantage, the other stormed back. With 1:22 left in the game, the Raiders tied the score on a 3 pointer from Jason Jolliffe. At 51.8 to go in the game, Ridge's Jack Kerwin was fouled and canned both to put Ridge up 51-49. On the next possession, Raider Greg Faenza scored to tie the score and was fouled. Faenza scored the freethrow and the Raiders took the lead for the first time.
Ridge brought the ball down the floor for one last effort, but was unable to score, and the Raiders left the court with a one-point victory.
DEVIL OF THE GAME
Dillon Mahon — Mahon lead all Ridge scorers with 14 points. "Dillon handled the ball well, he shot the ball well, and he defended well. He showed good control, poise and composure. He was being more agressive and made some big plays" — Ridge coach Brian Feath
COACH'S TAKE
"Missed freethrows, missed layups and they didn't get any bodies as far as offensive boards. If we just had one of each: one freethrow, one layup, one defensive rebound, we win the game." — Ridge coach Brian Feath
UP NEXT - Ridge will host Gill St. Bernards at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
