The Southwest Roughriders had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They blew past Franklin 56-33. That 56-33 margin sets a new team best for Southwest this season.
Leading Southwest to victory were Nathan Rippe and Houston Billeter. Rippe scored 16 points along with eight rebounds and three steals, while Billeter scored 19 points along with six rebounds and three steals. Rippe continues to roll, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. Another player making a difference was Trenton Williams, who scored nine points.
Several Flyers players turned in solid performances, despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Caiden Peterman, who scored six points along with five assists and five steals. Those five assists set a new season-high mark for him. The team also got some help courtesy of Eldon Haack, who scored nine points along with 14 rebounds.
Southwest's victory ended a five-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 3-6. As for Franklin, their loss was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season, which bumped their record down to 1-6.
Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Southwest will have some time to savor their victory since their next game is a little ways off: they'll take on Hitchcock County on January 2, 2024. Hitchcock County has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games. Franklin will finish 2023 at home by hosting Giltner at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Hopefully Giltner focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up ten on Tuesday.
