Riverside Survives Furious Rally, Tops Irvine Valley, 87-82, Thursday

RIVERSIDE -- Leading from the first basket and building a 19-point second-quarter lead, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's basketball team hung on and defeated the visiting Irvine Valley College (IVC) Lasers, 87-82, Thursday night in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) game at RCC's legendary Arthur N. Wheelock Gymnasium.

Riverside City (19-10 overall, 6-6 OEC) built a 39-20 lead with 5:35 left in the second quarter before settling for a 45-34 halftime lead.

Down the stretch, IVC frosh guard Serena Saba fueled the near comeback as she pumped in 15 of her game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter as the Lasers (11-17 overall, 3-9 OEC) crept to within 83-80 with 1:40 left.

RCC sophomore guard Britney Gonzalez tossed in a team-high 23 points on nine of 15 shooting, including five three-point baskets, while sophomore center Paradise Hanchett added 22 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Sophomore guard Chiderah Uzowuru chipped in with 18 and made three free throws in the last 52 seconds to ice the win.

Regional playoff berths will be announced on Monday, Feb. 20.

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