Men’s Basketball Rolls LA Valley at Home

After a 3-0 start to the season, the Riverside City College men's basketball team looked to keep trending upward as they hosted the Los Angeles Valley Monarch for its home opener on Tuesday night. The Tigers man handled the Monarchs as they nearly led from opening tip resulting in a commanding 89-65 win.

The entire team saw time on the floor as Head Coach Philip Mathews checked in his entire roster.

"Playing a team we should beat, we had some good moments and some bad moments," said Mathews. "There are many things that we can improve on and we will do that tomorrow during practice."

Three players landed in double-digit points highlighted by a 19-point showing from sophomore Lynden Paul. He went an efficient 7-for-9 from the floor, which included a set of three pointers. He hit all three of his free throws and threw down an emphatic dunk late in the second half to cap his night.

Freshman tandem Tomi Adesiji and Reggie Ward each flushed 18 points in a starting role. Adesiji lit up the court from long range by going 4-for-6 beyond the arc, while Ward did all of his damage from close range. He went 7-for-9 highlighted by making to the line six times. Furthermore, he added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Freshman Bryce Hall clocked some quality minutes leading to eight points and three steals, while freshman Darvelle Wyatt chipped in six points in a tough showing from down low. Sophomore Dondre Bausley led the squad in assists, while sophomore Courtland Moffatt notched four assists, five rebounds and two steals.

There was a lot to see for the Tigers after the entire squad touched the hardwood. Mathews is pleased so far, but it is a process.

"I think that this is a very talented team. They are young, but they are coming along. I think their talent will show in the next three or four game."

As a team, Riverside shot 46.9 percent from the floor and outrebounded LA Valley 42-36. Furthermore, they forced a season-high 33 turnovers, but committed 22 of their own. They dominated the paint by outscoring the Monarch by 16 points while holding a lead as large at 27 midway through the final frame.