Riverside Rallies for 55-47 Win Over First-place Saddleback Wednesday; Hanchett Sets RCC Career Records for Rebounds and Blocked Shots

RIVERSIDE -- Chiderah Uzowuru poured in 19 points and added a co-game-high 12 rebounds and Paradise Hanchett added 11 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks to pace the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's basketball team to a 55-47 win over the first-place Saddleback College Gauchos Wednesday night (Feb. 8) in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) game at legendary Arthur N. Wheelock Gymnasium on the RCC campus.

Riverside City (17-9 overall, 4-5 OEC) led, 14-13, after the first quarter, but teams were tied, 26-26, at halftime and tied, 38-38, after three periods. Saddleback (20-7, 7-2 OEC) briefly led, 40-38, at the outset of the fourth quarter before RCC went on an 8-0 run over a two-minute span for a 46-40 lead with 7:31 remaining.

Uzowuru, a sophomore guard from Eastvale - Eleanor Roosevelt HS '14, had 11 points and ten rebounds in the first half before Hanchett, a sophomore center from Moreno Valley - Rancho Verde HS '15, had nine points and eight rebounds in the second half.

With the 12 boards and two rejections against Saddleback, Hanchett set RCC career records for total rebounds (714) and blocked shots (91). Her totals eclipsed the previous RCC bellwether marks which were set by Bethel Lauder, 1984-86 (710 rebounds) and Debbie Clausen, 1990-92 (90 blocked shots).

Current RCC head women's basketball coach Alicia Berber, who is pictured in the middle of the huddle, is in her 16th season at the Tigers' helm. By the way, Berber (nee Rubio) is now in third place on RCC's career rebound list.

Laura Tapia had a team-high 13 points and teammate KIazha Ginwright (Riverside - M.L. King HS) added 12 points for the Gauchos.

Riverside City returns to action on Friday, Feb. 10, when it visits the Fullerton College Hornets in a 7 p.m. OEC tipoff,

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