By RYAN ARENA
Sports Editor

In a district clash that saw 17 made 3-pointers, one made all the difference in the world.

Newman edged host Riverside on Tuesday night, 58-55, in a game where each team made 14 two-point field goals and three foul shots. But Newman outgunned the Rebels from behind the arc, 9 shots to eight, assuring them victory in the District 10-2A opener for each squad.

“That was really the only difference,” said Riverside Coach Ben Wilson. “I could see it on their faces after the game. They just feel like we let another one slip away.”

Josh Tassin scored 20 points to lead the Rebels, and had ample support from fellow Rebel stars Kane Keller, who scored 12, and Bobby Smith, who dropped in 10.

Newman countered with Dylan Brown (22 points) and Will Winston (21).

Riverside (3-17) led 16-11 after a quarter, but a 3-point barrage vaulted Newman into the lead at halftime, 29-22, after outscoring Riverside 18-6 in the second quarter.

The Greenies (4-12) hit four threes in the period.

“They hit a lot of shots there,” said Wilson. “That game them a good little lead, and we had to fight back.”

And fight back is what the Rebels did, as they have often when falling behind. Riverside trailed by only 1, 42-41, after three quarters. The Rebels’ 19 third quarter points was their highest output in any of the four periods.

“We didn’t shoot so well in the first half,” Wilson said. “After that, we did a pretty good job. When Keller, Tassin and Smith all play well, the rest of our team tends to raise their games along with them.”

Newman pulled ahead by five late in the fourth quarter, but the Rebels’ final 3-pointer of the game pulled them within two with nine seconds left.

But from there, Riverside had to send Newman to the line. The Greenies were able to keep the Rebels at bay from there.

“I thought both teams played pretty well at both ends,” said Wilson. “There were some nice offensive plays, and some solid defense. I’m sure it was a good game to watch from a fan’s perspective.”