Hiawatha girls basketball bounced back in a big way Friday night, defending their home court on Senior Night with a hard-fought 42-39 victory over the Riverside Cyclones.

The win came 24 hours after the Redhawks fell at home to 3A No. 1 Silver Lake in a matchup that ultimately decided this season’s Big East League champion.

Friday’s contest with Riverside was a battle from the opening tip. The Cyclones edged in front 12-10 after a tightly contested first quarter, then turned up the defensive pressure in the second. Riverside held Hiawatha to just six points in the period to take a 22-16 lead into halftime.

The Redhawks responded after the break. Trailing for much of the third quarter, Hiawatha closed the period on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 31-30 heading into the fourth, setting up a dramatic finish.

The final quarter remained neck-and-neck. With under 20 seconds remaining and the game hanging in the balance, Kylie Nelson calmly knocked down two clutch free throws to give Hiawatha a three point advantage.

Riverside had one last opportunity when Maycee Meers found space on the left wing for a potential game-tying shot in the closing seconds, but the attempt fell short, sealing the Redhawks’ Senior Night victory.

Nelson led Hiawatha with 11 points, while Claire Twombley added 10. Riverside was paced by Niahla Duncan with 12 points and Kennedy Griffin with 11 in the narrow loss.