Riverside Downs Cypress in Huge Conference Win

It was a tie ball game after the opening 20 minutes as the Riverside City College women's basketball team played host to the Cypress College Chargers on home hardwood. A 48-point second half aided an absolute dominant showing leading to an 81-59 victory in a crucial standing shifting win.

The Tigers shot 41.7 percent from the floor while only attempting seven three pointers. They dominated the boards on a 53-39 ratio with 36 points coming in the paint and 23 points coming on the fast break. They led by as much as 22 points after being gridlocked at halftime.

Sophomore forward Maxine Najera had the best game of her career by dropping a massive 31-point, 11 rebound game. She made it to the line 10 times and hit every free throw. She also went 10-for-17 from the field.

"It feels great coming in as a team and getting a win," said Najera.

The Tigers snapped Cypress' four-game winning streak to make a serious push for a high playoff seed.

"We studied a lot of film. We studied their press and how to break it. We also studied how to find the gaps in their 2-3 zone and how to break down their defense."

Two other players landed in double-digit scoring with freshman N'Dya Parks continuing her offensive tear. She dropped 15 points with seven rebounds, while freshman guard Ashley Smith followed with a career-high 13 points and 10 rebounds. Her totals led to her first-career double-double.

It was a fast-pace game and the Tigers handled it very well.

"The pace was fine," said Najera when asked about the Charger's game plan. "We have a point guard named Mikayla Roberts who can bring the ball up the court as quick as light, so it's easy when you have a point guard like her bringing the ball up."

Despite only dropping six points, Roberts had seven assists, five rebounds and one steal. She clocked a game-high 39 minutes.