Men’s Basketball Fends Off Long Beach for Fifth-Straight Win

The Riverside City College men's basketball team is notoriously for compiling a grueling non-conference scheduled prior to diving into Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play. This season is no different as the Tigers traveled to Long Beach, CA to take on the Vikings in a grudge match. Riverside lost to the Vikings in preseason last year, so they looked to even out the series. 

Riverside and Long Beach were both efficient from the hardwood, but the Tigers outshot the Vikings from distance by carting a 37.5 three point shooting percent. Additionally, they out rebounded the Vikings by a significant margin leading to 28 points in the paint and 12 second chance opportunities.

The Tigers controlled the game from the beginning, but a slow second half that saw Vikings outscore them by five points. Despite the sluggish second half, the Tiger's first-half showing provided a big enough cushion.  

The starting five did the bulk of the damage led by freshman Reggie Ward. He continued to anchor the offense by dropping a team high 17 points. Furthermore, he was two rebounds shy of a double double. He has landed in double-digit scoring in five-consecutive games and currently leads his team with 16.4 points-per-game.

Freshman Darius McClain finished with 14 buckets, which included a pair of three pointers. He went 4-for-4 from the free throw line as well. Freshman Tomi Adesiji had a strong showing leading to 12 points, three rebound and two steals.

Running the offense was sophomore Courtland Moffatt and he finished with seven rebounds, six points and two assists.