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Second-half swoons sink Redbirds in SWAL contests
Darl BBB Heinberg color
DARLINGTON CENTER Griffin Heinberg (#44) slips in between a trio of Riverdale defenders for a basket at Saturdays SWAL Jamboree at UW-Platteville. Also pictured for the Redbirds is Cade Hardyman (#10).

    PLATTEVILLE – Riverdale erased a seven-point halftime lead by outscoring Darlington by a 19-3 margin in the third quarter, and the Chieftains held off a late push to sink the Redbirds, 50-46, at the seventh annual SWAL Basketball Jamboree held at UW-Platteville’s Bo Ryan Court in the Williams Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 12.
    The Redbirds (5-8 overall, 3-4 in SWAL) bolted out to an early 9-2 lead in the game, but the Chieftains came fighting back with a 16-9 run of their own to tie the score at 18 all midway through the second quarter.
    Sophomore guard Cole McDonald gave the ‘Birds back the lead heading into the intermission by scoring the final six points of the half to put Darlington up 28-21.
    Riverdale (4-9, 1-6) picked up the pace on both ends of the court at the start of the third quarter, scoring 19 points on the offensive end and holding the ‘Birds to just three points on defense to turn a seven-point deficit into a nine-point advantage.
    The Redbirds outscored the Chieftains in the fourth quarter, 15-10, but they could not make up for their third quarter swoon as they fell for the second time in the week.
    Junior Cody Hardyman scored all 14 of his game-high points in the second-half, including four 3-pointers, to lead the Redbirds. McDonald finished with 11 points, but was shutout in the second half; while Cade Hardyman added eight points and Griffin Heinberg chipped in with six.
    Sophomore Brett Hach nailed four 3-pointers to lead the Chieftains with 12 points.
    The Redbirds started the week off with a make-up game against Southwestern at DHS on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
    The Wildcats (13-1, 7-1) led 15-10 after one quarter of play, but that lead was cut to just two at the half after getting outscored by the ‘Birds, 9-6, in the second quarter.
    Darlington was still within four at the start of the fourth quarter, however the ‘Cats pulled away down the stretch to post a 10-point win.
    Cole McDonald led a balanced scoring attack with 12 points. Michael Ruf added nine points and Cody Hardyman netted seven, while Cade Hardyman and Riley Ray tacked on six apiece.
    Josh Smith paced Southwestern with a game-high 15 points.
    Darlington heads to Cuba City for a SWAL game on Friday, Jan. 18, and the Redbirds will play a non-conference game at Platteville on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Riverdale 50, Darlington 46
Riverdale….. 11  10  19  10 - 50
Darlington… 16  12    3  15 - 46
    Riverdale – Moriva 8, Mayer 7, Meister 4, Wiederholt 6, Lins 9, Hach 12, Imhoff 4. Totals – 22  13-21  50.
    Darlington – Michael Ruf 2, Cody Hardyman 14, Dylan Nyffenegger 3, Cade Hardyman 8, Cole McDonald 11, Griffin Heinberg 6, Riley Ray 2. Totals – 26  11-16  65.
    3-point goals– R 7 (Moriva 2, Lins 1, Hach 4,), D 6 (Co. Hardyman 4, McDonald 1, Nyffenegger 1). Total fouls– R 13, D 20.

Southwestern 50, Darlington 40
Southwestern… 15   6  15  14 - 50
Darlington…….. 10   9  13    8 - 40
    Southwestern – Fellenzer 9, Pollack 7, Smith 15, Kaiser 12, Tranel 7. Totals – 15  15-19  50.
    Darlington – Michael Ruf 9, Cody Hardyman 7, Cade Hardyman 6, Cole McDonald 12, Riley Ray 6. Totals – 10  18-19  40.
    3-point goals– SW 5 (Fellenzer 1, Pollack 2, Smith 1, Kaiser 1), D 2 (Co. Hardyman 1, McDonald 1). Total fouls– SW 14, D 18.