By RYAN ARENA
Sports Editor

Megan Malik scored all 16 of her points in the second half Friday night to lead Riverside over Carver, 40-36, in a District 10-2A game in Reserve.

Toni Hebert dished out 10 assists – also all in the second half – while filling in for Rebels’ starting point guard Lauren Doyle, who missed the game due to illness. Heather LeBlanc chipped in nine points for Riverside.

The Rebels (4-19, 2-2) trailed 13-11 at halftime, but cranked up its offense in the second half led by Malik and the team’s other interior players.

“We knew we had a mismatch inside on them,” said Hebert. “We started taking care of the ball and not turning it over as much. We got to the free throw line. That was pretty much the difference.”

The Rebels’ sustained a huge night from Carver’s Brittany Head, who scored 30 of her team’s 36 points.

“We double teamed her, but she just kept scoring,” Hebert said. “Still, we were stopping them from getting second and third shot opportunities. We did an excellent job rebounding the ball.”

The win evens Riverside’s district record, keeping the postseason on the Rebels’ radar.

“I keep explaining to them, we’re just below the top 32 that’ll make it,” Hebert said. “If we keep improving in our district games, we’ll keep our hopes alive.”

LUTCHER 49, RIVERSIDE 39 – A strong second half surge by Lutcher lifted the Bulldogs over the Rebels last Thursday night in Reserve.

Lutcher (2-13) outscored Riverside 38-25 in the second half, breaking open what had been a tight game.

“Even in the fourth quarter, we were going back and forth for awhile,” Hebert said. “But turnovers killed us, and they went on a run. We let it slip through our fingers. I think we were just a young, anxious team there.

“The good news was we took what we learned that game, and kept our composure against Carver.”

Malik led the Rebels with 14. Kristy Milioto scored 11. Doyle added nine.

Essence Peterson led Lutcher with 22 points.