Strong second-half propels Rebels past Comets

Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 16, 2010

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – It was a tale of two quarters in the first half.

But after halftime, the story was all about the Rebels.

After a sluggish first half offensively for both teams, Riverside found some ways to score in the second half, outscoring rival St. Charles 32-13 after halftime in a 45-26 district win Thursday at Riverside.

“We stepped up our defensive pressure in the second half,” said Riverside coach Chuck Dorvin. “We forced some turnovers, and that was key. We were having some trouble at the offensive end and we got some uncontested layups off of our defensive play.”

Daysha Blount scored 17 points to lead the Rebels (13-11, 1-1). Kristy Milioto chipped in 11.

Dominique DiCarlo led SCC (7-12, 1-2) with 11 points and six steals. Kacie Braud added eight points.

Riverside jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter, but St. Charles fired back by outscoring Riverside 11-3 in the second quarter to tie things up at halftime.

“At that point, we did what we practice,” said St. Charles coach Kelly Cupit.

“Things were within reach.”

Riverside took the Comet rally to heart.

“We got pumped up at halftime,” said Milioto. “We don’t like to lose. We played the second half the way we really needed to play the entire game.”

Immediately, the Rebels scored the first nine point of the second half, including three layups by Blount and a jumper by Milioto.

DiCarlo broke up the Rebel run with a free throw, and would add a layup on the Comets’ next possession.

Blount answered by finishing a drive at the rim, then sticking a jumper to put Riverside ahead 27-16.

Nicole Doming’s putback cut the Rebel lead to single digits, but it was the last time the Comets would be so close.

Jamie Boldin’s bank shot made it 31-18 early in the fourth quarter. Lauren Doyle added a driving layup to make it a 15-point lead. Blount made two free throws, and Boldin scored again to put RA ahead 37-19.

“We just turned it over at the beginning of the half and never could regain the momentum,” said Cupit. “We couldn’t battle back.”

Riverside’s defensive play has been consistent throughout the season, and was again a reliable weapon to Dorvin and his team on Thursday.

“We’ve done really well defensively all season,” said Milioto. “Now we’ve just gotta start making some shots. They’re gonna fall for us soon.”