By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

With time winding down, it appeared Riverside was destined to go to overtime with host Hosanna Christian.

But Bobby Smith changed that with one shot.

The Rebels’ guard nailed a floater as time expired to give Riverside a season opening win on Tuesday, 52-50.

“It means a lot for us,” said new Riverside Coach Ben Wilson, who made his coaching debut with the team in the win. “We were able to go into their gym and get a big win on the road. It was a big sloppy, but this is always good for a young team’s confidence.”

Hosanna Christian’s Jay Matthews had hit a wild three-pointer to tie the game at 50 on the previous possession, setting up Smith’s game winner.

Riverside trailed for much of the game though. Hosanna Christian lead grew to as many as eight points. After leading 14-10 after a quarter, Riverside cut the lead to two, 21-19, at halftime. The teams each scored 17 in the third quarter.

But in the fourth, Riverside made its push for the lead.

Kane Keller led the Rebels 91-0) with 15 points. Smith scored 14. Justin Newbauer and Josh Tassin added eight each.

Riverside did some damage from the perimeter, hitting five three pointers to only one for Hosanna Christian. However, each team struggled turning the ball over – Hosanna Christian turned it over 24 times, to 20 for the Rebels.

Wilson noted his team’s superb foul shooting down the stretch of the fourth quarter as a key. Keller sank four straight to establish a three-point lead for Riverside before Matthews scored his final points.

“Our defense was also key,” said Wilson. “Our ability to make free throws when it counted was huge, and we had players stepping up, taking charges, and making key plays down the stretch.”