Second-half defense sparks Raiders to victory

ALLIANCE — A little persistence goes a long way. Just ask Sidney High School’s boys basketball team.

With its offense struggling to reach halftime Thursday night, the Red Raiders used their defense to keep host Alliance in check at intermission by way of a 19-17 deficit. In the third period, Erik Kohl’s club put everything together en route to a 45-36 Western Conference road victory.

Ignited by pressure defense and a rapid-fire transition game, Sidney (3-2, 1-1) wiped out a six-point Bulldogs lead by going on a 19-3 run to close out the quarter.

The Raiders defended Alliance shots at every tur...