Herriman beats rival Riverton for the first time ever in girls’ basketball

Herriman • The 0-fer finally is over.

After losing its first 11 meetings against Riverton, Herriman’s girls’ basketball team broke through in a big way Tuesday night. The Mustangs routed their visitors 66-45 and celebrated appropriately after finally beating their neighbors to the east.

“It’s amazing to finally get over this hump and have the confidence to beat them,” senior guard Milee Enger said. “Riverton always has a good program. To come in here and play so well and come away with a victory is huge for us.”

Enger led the way with a season-high 23 points and five 3-pointers. Jalyn Van Dyke added 19 points to keep Herriman (14-2, 3-0) unbeaten in Region 3 and on pace for a first-place showdown with Copper Hills.

Riverton (12-5, 1-2) was undone by poor outside shooting. The Silverwolves made only two baskets outside the paint. Senior center Morgan Kane did her part to keep things close, matching a season high with 24 points.

“I think if we could have kept her off the boards, then that would have been a different story,” Herriman coach Keisha Jones said about Kane. “But she’s a great player.”

No other Riverton player scored more than four points.

Herriman, which plays Copper Hills (15-1) on Thursday, held Riverton to five points in the third quarter and capitalized on six turnovers to push the lead to double digits.

Enger, who has signed to play at Sacramento State, scored nine points in the third quarter, and Van Dyke helped seal it with eight points in the final period.

Perhaps the biggest cheer of the evening came midway through the fourth quarter when Herriman senior Macy Markus made two free throws after a technical foul. Markus, who has not played this season because of a torn ACL, received hugs and high-fives after sinking both shots.

“I told her if there was ever a technical, I’d sub her in to shoot the free throws,” Jones said. “It’s awesome to get her points for her senior year. I’m very proud of her.”