Riverview is 0-4 against Sumner since February of 2021 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Riverview Sharks will head out on the road to challenge the Sumner Stingrays at 7:00 p.m. Riverview is no doubt hoping to put an end to a five-game streak of away losses.
It can be hard to translate regular season success to the playoffs, but Riverview had no problem doing just that on Tuesday. They took down the Chargers 72-54. Riverview's offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.
Bryson Kearney continued his habit of posting crazy stat lines, scoring 32 points. As a matter of fact, that's the most points he has scored all season. Elijah Gilroy was another key contributor, scoring nine points.
Meanwhile, it may have taken overtime to finish the job, but Sumner ultimately got the result they hoped for on Thursday. They had just enough and edged Tampa Bay Tech out 60-57. The score was all tied up 22-22 at the break, but Sumner was the better team in the second half.
Sumner got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Jabory Nelson out in front who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 13 rebounds. Nelson continues to roll, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jacob Douglas, who scored 20 points along with six rebounds and four steals.
Riverview's record is now 4-18. Sumner's record is now 16-9.
Thursday's matchup will pit two of the most dominant guards against one another: Kearney and Douglas. Kearney has been dynamite this season: he has averaged 16.2 points and 1.1 steals. For his part, Douglas has averaged 13.3 points, 2.5 steals, and 4.1 assists.
Riverview lost to Sumner on the road by a decisive 67-49 margin when the teams last played back in December of 2023. Can Riverview avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
