With two returning starters still on the mend from injuries, Ripon Christian’s boys basketball team hung tough with Beyer in their semifinal showdown in the Ron Peterson Tip-Off Classic at Riverbank.

The two teams combined for 24 made 3-pointers, but the Patriots of Beyer ultimately prevailed 71-65 behind 6-foot-6 forward Curtis Harmon’s 22 points.

Sophomore guard Tanner Kulina added 16 points for Beyer (2-1), which overcame an early 9-0 deficit and bolted to a 41-29 halftime lead.

Ripon Christian (1-2) battled back to eventually tie it at 52-52 on Josiah Van Vliet’s 3-pointer with 5:30 remaining, but the Patriots countered with eight unanswered points.

Jake Vander Veen buried four 3s for Ripon Christian, finishing with 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Van Vliet hit three 3s on his way to 16 points. Chase Bunnell pitched in 13 points and 10 boards. Dylan Segaar tallied eight points, and Luke Walton produced eight rebounds and five assists.

The Knights meet River Islands for third place today at 3:30 p.m.

Downey 65, River Islands 44

Charles Mapanao’s early barrage of 3-pointers kept the Riptide (2-2) in the fight for half, but Downey (3-1) ultimately ran away with it.

The senior guard drained four 3s for all of his 12 points. Darius Radoc Factoran also finished with 12 points.

Downey (3-1) faces Beyer in the championship tonight starting at 5.