Fullerton Hangs On for win at Riverside, 79-68

RIVERSIDE -- The Riverside City College Tigers men's basketball team jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but the visiting Fullerton College Hornets bounced back to post a 79-68 Orange Empire Conference (OEC) at Wheelock Gymnasium Friday night (Feb. 7).

Fullerton (6-18, 2-7 OEC) responded and built a 42-25 halftime lead and eventually stretched the margin to 52-31 with 16:07 to play. But then Riverside (10-16, 4-5 OEC) got fired up and closed the gap to within 60-56 with 7:02 left, but couldn't get over the hump.

Twelve Tigers saw action, led by Jelani Mitchell who came off the bench to pour in a game-high 19 points. Robert James added 14 for Riverside. Keenan Braden had only five points and five rebounds, but also blocked four shots for the Tigers.

For Fullerton, starting forwards Joel Brokenbrough and Dakota Allinson each added a team-high 15 points.

The Tigers return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 11, when they visit the Cypress College Chargers at Thorpe Fieldhouse. Riverside will have a bye next Wednesday (Feb. 12) and Friday (Feb. 14) RCC will conclude the regular season the following week with a game at Irvine Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 19, and then returning home on Friday, Feb. 21, to host the  Orange Coast College Pirates in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.