Women’s Basketball Defeats San Bernardino in CCCAA Regional Playoffs

After finishing in third place in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC), the Riverside City College women's basketball team pulled the 15^th seed in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California region and hosted the 18^th-seeded San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines in a play-in round on Wednesday night. After a close contest following the opening 10 minutes, the Tigers pulled away and never looked back en route to an 85-68 victory.

Riverside dominated in every major category. RCC boasted a 45.2 shooting percentage which factored in an impressive 53.8 shooting mark from long range. Sophomore guard Dejah Wright (Moreno Valley, CA) was a huge contributor in that realm as she knocked down five three pointers.

The Tigers set up home base in the paint as they outrebounded San Bernardino 62-36 – well more than half as efficient as the Wolverines. Additionally, Riverside cashed in 42 points in the key which neared more than half the points San Bernardino contributed to their total in the paint.

The turnover ratio was not in the Tiger's favor due to a late-game Wolverine press, but they capitalized on second-chance opportunities (13 points) and fast break opportunities (21 points) throughout the entire contest.

Riverside never trailed in the entire game as they held their largest lead at 24 points.

Freshman guard Kimari Hollis (Moreno Valley, CA) and Wright paced the Tiger pack on offense with 21 points each. Hollis chipped in seven rebounds and four assists as well.

Freshman forward Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, CA) earned a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore center Darricka Hewitt (Riverside, CA) earned 13 rebounds and recorded nine points.

The Tigers advance to the first round of CCCAA SoCal Regional playoffs and will face off against second-seeded Mt. San Antonio College on the road on Saturday, February 24^th at 7 p.m.