Clutch Shot Leads to Crucial Win for Men's Basketball

The Riverside City College men's basketball team returned home on Friday night and looked to snap a three-game Orange Empire Conference (OEC) losing streak by hosting the Saddleback College Gauchos in Wheelock Gymnasium. The Tigers found themselves facing a one-point deficit with 35 seconds on the clock after a wild second half of action. With minimal time remaining, sophomore forward Kane Daniels (Blythe, CA) spotted up and drilled a dagger three pointer with ticks remainng on the clock thus leading to a 64-60 victory.

Neither team led by more than six points throughout the duration of the contest to prove the equality of play. Furthermore, neither team held a strong edge in any aspect of the game with one exception – Riverside's ability to capitalize off of Saddleback turnovers. RCC notched 21 points off of Gaucho mishaps to help aide a slim advantage. A handful of those turnovers were forced by sophomore guard Brae Ivey (Huntington Beach, CA). On two separate occasions he pocketed steals from the top of the key and took them coast-to-coast for easy buckets.

It was the starting five that did all of the damage for the Tigers as they accounted for all 64 points. Four of the five starters landed in double-digit points. Freshman center Jordan Robinson (Riverside, CA) returned after missing five games and made a strong impacted by finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Sophomore guard Rico Tate (Memphis, TN) was the spark in the early stages by being responsible for the Tiger's first six points. He finished with 10 points which all came in the first half. Despite an uncharacteristic first half, sophomore guard Andre Wilson (Colton, CA) ignited in the second half leading to a team-high 19 points with 11 coming in the second frame. Ivey backed him by finishing with 14 points and three assists.

The Tigers (11-8, 2-3 OEC) will face off against the Irvine Valley College Lasers (13-9, 2-3 OEC) on Wednesday, January 24^th at 5 p.m. on the road.