By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Bobby Smith scored 23 points, but it was not enough to prevent Riverside from falling to 1-2 on the season after a 61-50 loss at Ascension Catholic on Tuesday night.

Ascension Catholic (2-3) established an early 18-point lead, but Riverside pulled to within seven at halftime and to as close as six in the second half. But the Rebels could not close the gap any further.

Riverside missed 20 foul shots, glaring in the face on an 11-point margin.

“They hit their free throws, we didn’t,” said Riverside coach Ben Wilson. “Free throws, rebounding, and turnovers have been an issue every game. It’s something we’ve worked on since the summer and continue to work on.”

Riverside has recently gotten a boost on the roster with the insurgence of the team’s players from the football team. But that, Wilson says, is also an adjustment.

“They’re learning to mesh with the others right now,” Wilson said.

Ascension Catholic led 36-29 at halftime.

Smith has been a consistent factor at guard thus far for Wilson and the Rebels. After hitting the game winning shot in Riverside’s season opener at Hosanna Christian, Smith has scored 12 and 23 points in the last two games.

“I did expect it from him,” Wilson said of Smith. “He plays with a lot of intensity and energy every time he steps on the court. It is not surprising.”