By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

NEW ORLEANS — A shorthanded Riverside team relied on its defense on Monday afternoon to tough out a victory over Ben Franklin, 31-18, at Ben Franklin.

Megan Malik scored nine to lead Riverside. Lauren Doyle added eight.

The Rebels were without their full compliment of players on Monday due to various issues, but others stepped up to fill in. Defensively, Riverside allowed four points or less in three quarters, allowing the team to survive a second and third quarter stretch where it combined for seven points – Ben Franklin mustered six in that span.

“There were a lot of mistakes. Both teams missed plenty of shots, but we played a pretty good defensive game,” said Riverside coach Chuck Dorvin. “We played more of a slowdown game than we usually do.”

The Rebels (11-5) led 12-8 after the first quarter, and maintained that lead into halftime after a second quarter that saw each team score only two points.

“The one good thing about it was even as bad as we played, we still had the lead,” said Dorvin.

He credited reserve guard Kelsie Joseph for doing a good job handling the ball after being pressed into starting duty.

“She stepped up and played good ‘D’,” said Dorvin. “She made some steals and didn’t turn it over. She was steady.”

Today, Riverside resumes play when it hosts Class 4A Cabrini (6-9) at 11 a.m. The Crescents have won three straight games, as have the Rebels.

“That’s a tough game,” said Dorvin. “This really tells us where we’re at. They’re well coached and real disciplined.”