This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

When one team scores only one point in the first quarter, it usually does not yield a competitive game.

But by the fourth quarter, the Riverton and Highland boys' basketball teams were locked in a stiff contest, trading the lead back and forth. But with a late rally led by D McCleary and Stephen Holm, the Silverwolves (2-1) were able to escape the defending Class 4A champion Rams (1-1) with a 58-50 road win.

It was Riverton's second win of the season, and perhaps a little more hard-fought than initially anticipated.

"I was proud my guys were able to make plays at the end when we needed them," Riverton coach Steve Galley said. "It's easier to play defense when you can score like that. We look to those two to pick us up in those situations."

McCleary and Holm did just that, combining for 41 points in the game. The defining run came in the final minutes, as the two scored 13 during the 18-8 run that sealed the victory.

McCleary started out by scoring on three straight possessions, breaking down the Highland pressure and using a sweet stroke to get two baskets followed by a pair of shots at the free-throw line. Holm put the finishing touches on the victory with two emphatic dunks that put the game out of the Rams' reach.

"Yeah, that's when I knew," McCleary said of Holm's last slam. "It was pretty awesome."

The game eventually turned into a shootout, but started out much more slow-paced. The Silverwolves locked down Highland early, only allowing a single point in the first quarter. Three early charge calls against the Rams left starters Liam Thomas and Todd Connelly glued to the bench the entire second quarter with foul trouble.

David Divver and Hayes Hicken helped lead Highland back, getting open for outside shots to cut the halftime deficit to 20-15. When Thomas and Connelly got back in the game, the Rams went on a roll to take the lead in the third quarter. Thomas finished with 18 points while Divver added 11.

But Riverton would not be denied. The Silverwolves' late offensive burst was fueled in part by good defense, as they forced Highland into six fourth-quarter turnovers and scooped up defensive rebounds. McCleary and Holm killed the Rams in transition and eventually Highland had to start fouling.

Thomas, Matt Barker and Lennon Betonny all ended up fouling out in the game, and the Silverwolves went 18-for-28 in their free-throw attempts. —

Highlights

R McCleary scores 21 and Stephen Holm scores 20 for the Silverwolves.

• Riverton finishes the game on an 18-8 run after allowing Highland to come back from a 12-1 deficit after the first quarter.

• Liam Thomas leads the Rams with 18 despite sitting out the second quarter with foul trouble.