Men’s Basketball Closes Out Regular Season with 100 Point Showing on Sophomore Night

The Riverside City College men's basketball team put up an even 100 points on the scoreboard in a 42 point tromping over the Golden West College Rustlers on Thursday night to close out Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play. The Tigers saw four starters land in double-digit points in a night where they honored eight sophomores.

Prior to tip off, Riverside recognized sophomores Courtland Moffatt, Jalen Monroe, Dondre Bausley, Lynden Paul, Raymond Hawkins, Julian Alvarez, Reggie Ward and Isaiah Thomas for their contributions to the men's basketball program.

It was a relatively tight game at halftime as Riverside led 39-26, but a second half that ran Golden West out of the gym was the ultimate nail in the coffin. They scored a season high 61 points in the second half leading to the win.

Sophomore guard Julian Alvarez had a career game by flushing 20 points, hauling in four rebounds, swiping two steals and dishing out one assist.

"We just went with coach's game plan," said Alvarez. "He told us that if we take them lightly they are going to end up beating us. We followed his game plan and kept working hard throughout the game."

Moffatt led with a game-high 23 points and seven assists to flirt with a double-double. He added five rebounds and three steals in the process.

"I am proud of everyone here and the sophomores," said Moffatt in a crashed interview between Alvarez and Baulsey. "Next step is to win state and hang a banner."

Bausley, a two year member of the team who stayed rostered during the COVID-19 era, played a career-high 33 minutes and finished with six points. He has his sights set on the playoffs as well.

"If we keep playing like we are playing with good energy and effort, play hard on defense and know how we can play like coach tells us, I don't think anybody can beat us. Nobody is going to want to see us at a low seed."

Ward finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for his eighth double-double and third-consecutive double-double. He shot 70 percent from the floor. Thomas backed him with 12 points and five rebounds, while Hawkins mirrored his showing with 12 points to go along with four rebounds.

Riverside finishes the regular season with an overall record of 16-12 encompassing a 9-7 conference mark. They will await playoff seeding that is anticipated to be released this Sunday.

Stay tuned to www.rccathletics.com and the men's basketball home page for all information.