Women’s Basketball Falls to Orange Coast in Regular Season Finale

The Riverside City College women's basketball team hit the road on Thursday night to wrap up Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play against the Orange Coast College Pirates. The Tigers had a strong second half featuring 22 points in the fourth quarter, but the Pirates offense was too much to handle leading to an 87-77 defeat.

It was relatively even the majority of the game statistically as both teams displayed a consistent flow of offense. The Tigers shot 47.1 percent from the floor featuring a 25 percent mark from long range. They were only out rebounded by a mere board and only turned the ball over one more time in comparison to the Pirates.

Freshman guard N'Dya Parks experienced a career-game by flushing 26 points and four steals in a starting role. It is her third 20 point game in the last five games and is currently riding a nine-game double-digit scoring streak. She has solidified herself as a bona fide starter and ended the season ranked in the top-15 in conference with 10.6 points per game.

Freshman center Janara Williams dropped a career-high 22 points off the bench by going 10-for-13 from the floor. She was one rebound shy of snagging a double-double. Additionally, her 25 minutes of action was her largest showing of the season as she has played more than 20 minutes in the past three games.

The back court was suppoted by sophomore Ashley Smith who recorded 11 points on a 5-for-10 night shooting. Her defense was on point as she swiped three steals. She, too, has experienced a late-season burst by flushing 11 or more points in five of the last six games.

Riverside finishes the regular season with an overall record of 19-9 encompassing a 6-6 conference mark. They improved their previous season's record by seven wins and will return to the playoffs after a year hiatus.

They will await playoff seeding that is anticipated to be released this Sunday. Stay tuned to www.rccathletics.com and the women's basketball home page for all information.