BIDWELL, Ohio —River Valley’s Austin Lewis pulled down 16 rebounds Saturday night as the Raiders went on to defeat the Eastern boys basketball team 57-45 in Gallia County.

The Eagles (5-15) and River Valley (4-17) were locked in a defensive battle through the first eight minutes of regulation, and it was the Raiders who held the one point, 8-7, advantage going into the second stanza.

The pace stepped up for each side in the second quarter with River Valley scoring 15 points, while EHS scored 12. RVHS led 23-19 at the break.

After halftime the Raiders went on an eight minute, 17-13, run to open their lead up to eight (40-32) headed into the finale.

River Valley sealed the deal by going 12-of-14 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter on its way to an 18 point quarter. Eastern scored 13 in the fourth and RVHS took the victory 57-45.

The Raiders were led by Austin Lewis with 16 points and 16 rebounds, followed by Derek Flint with 14 points. Chris Clemente and Trey Noble each scored nine points, while Ethan Dovenbarger finished with four. Rounding out the RVHS scoring was Joseph Loyd and Aaron Harrison with three points each.

EHS was led by Max Carnahan with 22 points, followed by Jacob Parker with eight. Kirk Pullins finished with six points while Christian Amsbary scored four. Chase Cook and Zakk Heaton each had two points and Chris Bissell finished with one point for the Eagles.

The Eagles return to action in the opening round of the sectional tournament against Pike Eastern at Meigs High School on the 29th at 8 p.m.

River Valley 57, Eastern 45

E 7-12-13-13 — 45

RV 8-15-17-18 — 57

EASTERN (5-15): Max Carnahan 8 3-3 22, Christian Amsbary 2 0-0 4, Kirk Pullins 3 0-0 6, Jacob Parker 3 2-3 8, Chase Cook 1 0-0 2, Chris Bissell 0 1-2 1, Zakk Heaton 1 0-0 2, Justin Hill 0 0-0 0, Daschle Facemeyer 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18 6-8 45. Three-point goals: 3 (Carnahan 3). Rebounds: 18. Turnovers: 14.

RIVER VALLEY (4-17): Austin Whobrey 0 0-0 0, Derek Flint 5 2-2 14, Kyle Bays 0 0-0 0, Chris Clemente 3 2-2 9, Trey Noble 2 5-5 9, Aaron Harrison 0 3-6 3, Joseph Loyd 1 0-0 3, Austin Lewis 6 4-5 16, Ethan Dovenbarger 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 19 16-20 57. Three-point goals: 4 (Flint 2, Clemente, Loyd). Field goals: 19-52 (.365). Rebounds: 35. Turnovers: 11.