Copper Hills takes sole possession of first place in Region 3 with win over Riverton

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills cheerleaders pump up the energy during a first half time out. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Isaac Flores tries to block Riverton's Ryen Edwards' first half shot. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Richie Saunders slices in for a first half shot. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills fans try to distract Riverton's Ben Neilson during this first half foul shot. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Trevon Allfrey comes down on top of Tristyn Hymas of Riverton during first half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills bench including Trevon Allfrey (44), erupts after a late 3-pointer extended their late second half lead. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Trevon Allfrey powers his way to the hoop during second half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dayne McDonald voices his disagreement with a first half foul call. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Trevon Allfrey is fouled going to the hoop during second half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Ben Neilson goes up for a made 3-pointer during first half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills's Isaac Flores takes a calm jumper during second half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dayne McDonald has his shot blocked by Joseph Wilson during first half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dylan Sanchez is astonished by the ball being awarded to Copper Hills late in the second half. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Stone Hutchings goes to the floor to secure this second half loose ball. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Ryen Edwards cannot block Stone Hutchings' second half layup.Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Richie Saunders cannot believe he was called for a block during second half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills fans and bench enjoys the increased lead late in the game as Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills bench including Trevon Allfrey (44), erupts after a late 3-pointer extended their late second half lead. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

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Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills cheerleaders pump up the energy during a first half time out. Copper Hi... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Isaac Flores tries to block Riverton's Ryen Edwards' first half shot. ... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Richie Saunders slices in for a first half shot. Copper Hills defeated Ri... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills fans try to distract Riverton's Ben Neilson during this first half foul... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Trevon Allfrey comes down on top of Tristyn Hymas of Riverton during f... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills bench including Trevon Allfrey (44), erupts after a late 3-pointer ... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Trevon Allfrey powers his way to the hoop during second half play. Copper Hills defe... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dayne McDonald voices his disagreement with a first half foul call. Coppe... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Trevon Allfrey is fouled going to the hoop during second half play. Co... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Ben Neilson goes up for a made 3-pointer during first half play. Copper H... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills's Isaac Flores takes a calm jumper during second half play. Copper Hill... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dayne McDonald has his shot blocked by Joseph Wilson during first half pl... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dylan Sanchez is astonished by the ball being awarded to Copper Hills lat... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Stone Hutchings goes to the floor to secure this second half loose bal... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Ryen Edwards cannot block Stone Hutchings' second half layup.Copper Hills... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Richie Saunders cannot believe he was called for a block during second ha... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills fans and bench enjoys the increased lead late in the game as Copper... Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills bench including Trevon Allfrey (44), erupts after a late 3-pointer ...

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills cheerleaders pump up the energy during a first half time out. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Isaac Flores tries to block Riverton's Ryen Edwards' first half shot. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Richie Saunders slices in for a first half shot. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills fans try to distract Riverton's Ben Neilson during this first half foul shot. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Trevon Allfrey comes down on top of Tristyn Hymas of Riverton during first half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills bench including Trevon Allfrey (44), erupts after a late 3-pointer extended their late second half lead. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Trevon Allfrey powers his way to the hoop during second half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dayne McDonald voices his disagreement with a first half foul call. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Trevon Allfrey is fouled going to the hoop during second half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Ben Neilson goes up for a made 3-pointer during first half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills's Isaac Flores takes a calm jumper during second half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dayne McDonald has his shot blocked by Joseph Wilson during first half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Dylan Sanchez is astonished by the ball being awarded to Copper Hills late in the second half. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Copper Hills' Stone Hutchings goes to the floor to secure this second half loose ball. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Ryen Edwards cannot block Stone Hutchings' second half layup.Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Riverton's Richie Saunders cannot believe he was called for a block during second half play. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills fans and bench enjoys the increased lead late in the game as Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune The Copper Hills bench including Trevon Allfrey (44), erupts after a late 3-pointer extended their late second half lead. Copper Hills defeated Riverton 54-50, Friday, February, 2, 2018.

By Jon Clifford | Special to The Tribune

· 21 minutes ago

Riverton • Copper Hills learned the hard way about the importance of closing out opponents in the fourth quarter, with three consecutive losses to start the new year.

But those defeats have yielded five consecutive wins after a solid performance in the final few minutes lifted the visiting Grizzlies to a 54-50 Region 3 victory against Riverton on Friday night.

Tyler Bush scored five of his season-high 14 points during a game-deciding 8-2 spurt in the fourth quarter after Riverton had clawed back to tie the score at 40.

It was just the second time in double figures for Bush, who made two of the Grizzlies’ seven 3-pointers, including one to put Copper Hills (11-7, 4-0) up 48-42 with 3:31 to play.

“We are both fighting for first place, in a super loud environment, with fans everywhere,” said Bush, whose previous high was 12 points. “I just looked for my shots and went with what I knew how to do.”

Trevon Allfrey had 14 points and Joseph Wilson added 12 for the Grizzlies, who moved into sole possession of first place midway through the region schedule.

Ben Neilson scored 18 points for Riverton, but leading scorer Richie Saunders was held to just 11 points — eight below his season average.

“Our goal was to 16, so to keep him to 11 is a tremendous feat for Jake Jensen and Seth Argyle,” Copper Hills coach Andrew Blanchard said. “They just really played hard on him. We had to give it all we got to hold him to that.”

Riverton (14-5, 3-1) played mostly from the perimeter on the offensive end, and made eight 3-pointers. But the Silverwolves, who lost for just the second time in their past 12 games, attempted only five free throws, and didn’t make one in the second half.

Copper Hills was 9 of 15 from the line.

Storylines

• Tyler Bush scores a career-high 14 points off the bench and Trevon Allfrey scores 14 points for the first-place Grizzlies.

• Ben Neilson has a game-high 18 points for Riverton, including four of the team’s eight 3-pointers.

• Copper Hills wins its fifth consecutive game after three straight losses to start the new year.