South Bend Riley and Southport played a back and forth game before Riley pulled away in the fourth quarter for the 61-51 victory.

Damezi Anderson opened the game with a ‘3’. He continued to play well throughout the first half. The supremely talented junior scored 16 of Riley’s 24 points as no one else could find their range.

Both teams struggled to shoot the ball in the first half. Southport shot 32% while Southport hit 38.5%. Anderson had seven of Riley’s 10 field goals in the opening 16 minutes.

Southport received strong contributions from senior Blake Evans and sophomore Harold Bennett. The two combined for 31 points on 11-21 shooting. Southport was 3-20 from behind the arc. Poor shooting and a few too many turnovers hurt Southport’s chances of beating a talented Riley team.

There were 12 lead changes and six ties during the game. A 14-3 run by Riley from the end of the third quarter into the fourth gave Riley the lead for good. Southport had a chance until the final minute and half.

Damezi Anderson was the only Riley player in double figures – 24 points. He also had 10 rebounds and three steals.

South Bend Riley moved to 5-0 while Southport dropped to 0-6 against an incredibly tough schedule.

Riley (61) – Shamar Dillard 7 points (1-3 FG, 1-1 3FG, 4-6 FT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, Damezi Anderson 24 points (11-21 FG, 2-6 3FG, 0-1 FT), 10 rebounds, 0 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 block, 3 steals, Roland Austin 1 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, Rylan Grundy 5 points, 4 rebounds, Maurice Scott 9 points, 3 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 assist, Marlon Taylor 8 points, 2 rebounds, Jalen Jennings 7 points, 2 steals

Southport (51) – Blake Evans 14 points (5-10 FG, 0-4 3FG, 4-5 FT), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, Harold Bennett 17 points (6-11 FG, 1-4 3FG, 4-6 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, turnovers, 1 block, Brevin Jefferson 2 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, Dut Mabok 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers, Chaz Hinds, Dylan Davidson 8 points, 2 rebounds, Rashawn Haskins 2 points, Brian Miller 8 points