Riverside (VA) vs St. Mary’s Annapolis

Recap

By: Darius Gordon

A player to watch heading into this matchup was Gavin Johnson from St. Mary’s, who came in averaging 19 points per game and shooting 50 percent from three. The game tipped off with both teams playing fast-paced, transition basketball. Riverside (VA) jumped out to an early lead, up by nine with 10:15 left in the first half. They played with great pace, consistently attacking the paint and converting free throws to maintain control of the game.

St. Mary’s found open looks from beyond the arc but struggled to convert. Despite their cold shooting, they remained within striking distance thanks to their hustle and defensive energy.

At the midway point of the first half, with 4:49 left, Riverside led by seven. Gavin Johnson gave St. Mary’s a spark with a steal and two made free throws, bringing the deficit down to three. However, by halftime, Riverside regained a six-point lead. It was a defensive battle overall, with no players reaching double figures in the first half. If St. Mary’s wanted to mount a comeback, they needed to improve on their 26.7 percent shooting from the field.

To open the second half, St. Mary’s came out more aggressively, cutting the lead to two points. They began attacking the basket, getting to the free-throw line, and hitting tougher shots. However, Riverside responded with a strong stretch midway through the half, regaining a nine-point advantage behind the aggressive play of Noah Blubaugh. His fearless drives to the rim consistently resulted in either buckets or trips to the line.

Riverside ultimately pulled away late, securing a 68–61 victory over St. Mary’s. Max Lawson led the way with a standout performance, finishing with 21 points, 4 assists, and 1 block.

Notable Players:

• Max Lawson: 21 points, 4 assists, 1 block

• Johnny Dadant: 14 points

• Nick Blubaugh: 15 points, 6 assists