Riverside Gets Five-Point Performances from Bills, Ferguson Versus Grossmont
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grossmont (,) | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
|
Riverside (,) | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
Five-point performances from Nathan Ferguson (four goals, one assist) and Luke Bills (two goals, three assists) were not enough to extend Riverside City College men's water polo's three-game winning streak as it fell at home to Grossmont College, 18-10, on September 19.
RCC moves to 8-4 on the year and 1-1 in the Orange Empire Conference after it picked up a forfeit victory over Fullerton College on September 18. Next, the Tigers head to the Cuesta College Tournament, where they will open up against American River and Mt. San Antonio on Friday, September 27 at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
Bills secured the California Community College Athletic Association's (3C2A) Southern California Men's Water Polo Player of the Week award, which was announced a few hours before first sprint against Grossmont on September 19. The honor came after he tallied 15 goals, three assists, and drew three ejections in wins over Chaffey (20-4) and Rio Hondo College (23-5) on September 13. Bills' 41 goals over nine games this season led the entire 3C2A.
September 19 was a matchup against two teams fighting to break into the 3C2A Top-10 Rankings, as Grossmont (24) and Riverside (11) were both receiving votes in the latest poll released on September 16.
Ferguson scored twice in the first quarter to keep Grossmont within a goal, 3-2, but the deficit increased to five, 7-2, by halftime. Lennon Franklin posted three steals and two goals for RCC, which got seven saves and a steal from Adrian Thompson in goal.