By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Riverside coach Chuck Dorvin just wants to see him team get over that hurdle.

A number of times this season, the Rebels have dropped close games to strong teams despite having chances to win. It happened twice more at the Alario Center this week, as RA dropped games to Ellender, 52-46, and Westminster, 62-57.

The Rebels (12-8) rebounded in their final game, finishing play with a dominant 51-20 win over Thomas Jefferson.

But Dorvin knows there’s little time left before district play.

“We keep losing games we could win,” said Dorvin. “Hopefully, that will change in January. But we just haven’t turned the corner yet, and we have to do that.”

Ellender held on to defeat the Rebels on Sunday despite a Rebel rally in the second half, after the Patriots built a 12-point halftime lead. RA outscored Ellender 30-24 in the second half, but couldn’t push into the lead.

“We just made some bad mistakes at bad times, and we need to clean it up,” said Dorvin.

Jermani Thompson scored 13 to lead Riverside. Kristy Milioto scored 12, and Daysha Blount scored 10.

The Riverside-Westminster game saw the teams play virtually even basketball for a half, as the first quarter ended in a 14-14 tie, and the second saw the teams knotted up at 30.

But despite four Rebels in double figures, the Crusaders were able to jump to a four-point lead after four quarters and hold Riverside off.

Thompson again led the way for RA with 16. Blount scored 13, while Milioto and Lauren Doyle each scored 11.

Riverside wasted no time jumping on Thomas Jefferson, getting out to a 29-10 halftime lead – the Rebels wouldn’t look back from there.

Megan Malik scored 16 to lead RA. Milioto added 11.

Dorvin was, despite the losses, pleased with his team’s offensive output after a pair of low scoring affairs with Ben Franklin and Cabrini last week – especially of note, the Rebels offensive balance was there as five different Riverside players scored in double figures.

“We’ve turned it over too much, but we’re getting better in our free throw shooting and in making our layups,” said Dorvin. “And when you do that, you’re going to see more players thrive.”