Rebels run away from Dubois

Salvage weekend split after loss to Meeteetse

The Riverside Rebels split their first two conference games of the season, losing on their home floor to Meeteetse 56-52 on Friday night before putting everything together in a 73-57 thumping of Dubois on Saturday.
Coach Scott Winters called the latter “probably our most complete game we’ve played all season.”
The Rebels shot a blistering 55% from the field, nailing seven 3-pointers in the road contest.
Hayden Paxton led the way with 20, followed by Josh Wildman and Ryder Kozisek with 19 apiece.
“Everyone on the team shot well and defended just how we wanted to,” said Winters. “I feel like when we have multiple guys hitting shots on our team we can beat anyone.
“Dubois has some quick and skilled players, but I thought Hyson and Josh did a great job of pressuring them and forcing them to make turnovers. I’m glad we were able to play as well as we did and get a conference win.”
The conference and home opener didn’t go as well for the Rebels, who were plagued by a slow start and scored just 17 first-half points.  
“We weren’t able to hit our outside shots early and Meeteetse didn’t miss any of theirs so we dug ourselves a hole early on,” said Winters. “In the second half we were able to do a better job getting to the basket, getting more defensive stops, and we were able to come back.”
The Rebels outscored Meeteetse 20-11 in the fourth quarter. They trailed by just two and had a chance to win on their final possession, but missed the shot, were forced to foul and could only watch as the Meeteetse shooter drained both free throws.
“I was extremely proud of the boys for competing as well as they did,” said Winters. “Even though shots weren’t falling we kept a positive attitude and kept our defensive intensity throughout the game.”
Paxton posted a double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 boards, but “everyone on the team did a great job of executing the offense, setting screens, and pursuing the ball on rebounds,” said Winters, adding, “We had a few guys dealing with injuries, but they pushed through and fought until the end.”
Winters said he hopes his team carries the momentum it generated in Dubois into this weekend’s conference games.  They play the Huskies in Burlington on Friday before returning home to face the Ten Sleep Pioneers on Saturday.

Meeteetse    14 11 20 11 — 56
Riverside      9   8 15 20 — 52
RIVERSIDE — Josh Wildman 3-10 0-0 7, Hyson Hill 1-7 1-2 4, Hayden Paxton 8-12 8-11 24, Avery Clifford 3-5 0-0 6, Wyatt Daly-Patterson 2-9 0-0 4, Ryder Kozisek 3-15 0-0 7.  Totals 20-of-58 9-of-13 52.
3-POINT GOALS — Wildman, Hill, Kozisek.  REBOUNDS — Riverside 22 (Paxton 10).  STEALS — Riverside 9 (Paxton 4).  ASSISTS — Riverside 3 (Wildman 2).  TURNOVERS — Riverside 13.

Dubois        14 18 12 13 — 57
Riverside    24 16 14 19 — 73
RIVERSIDE — Wildman 7-14 2-4 19, Hill 2-7 0-0 5, Paxton 6-10 7-8 20, Clifford 2-5 1-2 6, Daly-Patterson 2-2 0-0 4, Kozisek 7-9 2-3 19.  Totals 26-of-47 12-of-17 73.
3-POINT GOALS — Kozisek 3, Wildman 3, Hill, Paxton, Clifford.  REBOUNDS — Riverside 32 (Paxton 13).  STEALS  — Riverside 7 (Daly-Patterson 4).  ASSISTS — Riverside 7 (Paxton 4). TURNOVERS — Riverside 13.