By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Riverside has won three straight games after defeating host Riverdale in decisive fashion on Monday night, 53-17.

The win comes on the heels of the Rebels’ performance at this past weekend’s St. Martin’s tournament, a competition Riverside coach Chuck Dorvin said would provide a solid measuring stick for where his young team is at this point in the season.

Riverside (7-4) fell to the hosts in their tournament opener Friday, 50-41. But the Rebels rebounded to edge Academy of Our Lady, 40-39, on Saturday, then topped Fisher later that day, 58-39.

Dorvin was pleased with the victories, but still sees some chinks in the armor that he hopes to see hammered out soon.

“We’re still a little behind from where I’d like to be,” Dorvin said. “We’re missing too many free throws and layups.

“It’s the only game in America where they give you a chance to shoot a wide open shot 15 feet away with no defenders. We’re not making the most of those opportunities. We’re getting away with it right now, but it’ll catch up to us if we don’t correct it.”

But he was quick to credit his team’s defensive play, which has been strong throughout the season.

“We’re relying on that right now,” he said. “We’ve played good defense down the stretch of games, and it’s carrying us.”

Jermani Thompson scored 11 and Kristy Milioto scored 10 to lead Riverside over Riverdale.

The Rebels led 10-8 after a quarter but opened things up with a 18-3 run before halftime. Riverside allowed just six second half points from there.

Daysha Blount scored 19 as Riverside held off a late push from Academy of Our Lady on Saturday. Milioto added 12.

“We kept turning it over,” said Dorvin. “We were fortunate to hold on. Our defense saved us.”

Riverside led 19-18 at halftime.

The Rebels controlled things throughout in their win over Fisher. Lauren Doyle and Thompson each scored 14.

Megan Malik scored 10.

Friday night’s game saw St. Martin’s jump out early to an eight point lead. Riverside cut it to five by the half, but St. Martin’s held off the Rebels in the second half.

Malik scored eight for RA. Doyle added seven.