Photo by Bobby R. Hester
Photo by Bobby R. Hester

Riverside Challenges IVC in Overtime Showdown

It took an additional five minutes of play to determine a winner on Tuesday night as the Riverside City College men's basketball team hit the road to face off against the Irvine Valley College Lasers. After Riverside missed a potential game-winning shot, the game continued on to overtime. Despite the failure to win in regulation, Riverside controlled the entirety of the overtime period leading to a 75-72 victory.

It was an even matchup for the majority of the game with both teams recording a very strong shooting percentage. Riverside shot an impressive 50.9 percent from the floor encompassing a 47.1 three-point shooting percentage. Both teams minimized turnovers with Irvine Valley holding a slight advantage, but Riverside capitalized off of turnovers more efficiently leading to 15 points.

In the overtime period, it was sophomore guard CJ Clark and freshman forward Chris harper who did the majority of the scoring damage. Harper scored the first six points of the period by notching a set of free throws to begin. He followed with two-consecutive layups to hand the Tigers a two-point advantage.

Clark followed with a layup and a jumper followed by assisting on a layup to sophomore guard Rico Tate. He eventually capped the contest by hitting two free throws to hand the Tigers a 75-75 win.

Harper and Clark went one-two in the box scoring in regards to scoring. Harper flushed 21 points and hauled in nine rebounds off the bench, while Clark finished with 20 points and dished out six assists. Sophomore center Franky McQuay finished with a double-double as he flushed 15 points and racked up 10 rebounds.

 Riverside (17-9, 6-4 OEC) will continue action at home on Friday, February 20 as they host the Saddleback College Gauchos at 5 p.m.