By RYAN ARENA

RESERVE — Riverside absorbed its first loss of the season this week but also scored a big victory as the Lady Rebels moved to 3-1 on the season.

RA bested H.L. Bourgeois at home Tuesday, 43-23, before falling at Ellender, 62-45.

Kendra Turner came within a basket of equaling the opposition’s scoring output against Bourgeois (1-2), pacing the Rebels with 21 points. Toni Hebert and Kelsey Joseph each added six.

“It was a good win for us. H.L. Bourgeois has a good program and we responded,” said Riverside coach Kristy Hebert. “We got some of their players in foul trouble and were able to take advantage. We created a lot of turnovers and took care of the ball ourselves.”

The Rebels’ defense dominated throughout. Riverside allowed no more than eight points in any quarter.

“We got into their passing lanes and played tough man-to-man defense,” said Hebert. “We forced them to take shots that they’re not used to taking. And we boxed out and kept them off of the offensive glass, so they weren’t getting second or third chances.”

Ellender (2-1), conversely, built a big first-half lead to force the Rebels to play from behind. The Patriots led 17-11 after a quarter and upped the advantage to 40-24 at halftime.

Kelsey Joseph scored 16 to lead Riverside. Channan Simmons added nine and Turner scored seven while Jaimaya Bolden scored six.

“We didn’t play the same game we’d played in the first three games,” said Hebert. “We missed too many easy shots and turned it over. That’s what cost us.”

Kelci Scott scored 18 points to lead Ellender.

Riverside currently is playing at the St. Martin’s tournament, which concludes today.

One Rebel is fast approaching a milestone: freshman Toni Hebert, who has started since her 7th-grade year, entered Friday’s action needing just 24 points to cross the 1,000 career points mark.

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