No. 5 Riverside Set to Host No. 12 Citrus in CCCAA Southern Regional Round Two

The Riverside City College men's basketball team has only been heating up as the weeks continue. When things were looking bleak for the Tigers entering into conference play, they ignited and went on a 14-2 run that earned them their first Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Championship since 2009. Now, they will start their journey for their first state title since 2009 by hosting the second round of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern Regional playoffs.

Riverside looks to punch a ticket to the state championship tournament for the first time under the direction of Head Coach Philip Matthews. The Tigers earned their first conference title since 2009 with his leadership. In order to make it to the big dance, Riverside is taking a game-to-game approach. First up, the no. 12 seeded Citrus College Owls.

The two teams met earlier in the season and the Tiger bested the Owls by the final score of 90-76. Riverside controlled the entire game as freshman guard Edwyn Collins dropped a season-high 27 points. Freshman forward Sammy Richardson followed with a career-high 25 points to go along with 11 rebounds for his only double-double of the season.

The Tigers possess many threats on both ends of the court. They average 70.4 points-per-game while holding opposing teams to 65.2 points-per-game. The Owls pose an offensive threat to the Tigers as they average 83.6 points-per-game, but allow 77.5 points-per-game.

A shootout could be brewing, but the Tiger's deep arsenal of weapons may grant Riverside an advantage.

Freshman guard Zekiah LoVett has anchored the offense for Riverside by averaging 10.6 points-per-game while carting a 42.0 shooting percentage from the floor. He is the Tiger's most reliable source from long range as seen in a 34.0 three point shooting percentage. Despite struggling in his final regular season game, the sharp shooter has bucketed 16 double-digit games which included a 23-point outburst against top-seeded Santiago Canyon earlier this month. His efforts led the Tigers to a 76-72 win.

Freshman guard Amir Davis has been one of the main ingredients to the Tiger's success as his versatility is second to none. Whether he is slotted as the power forward or the point guard, Davis puts the team in motion as seen in averaging six points-per-game, 5.2 rebounds-per-game, 1.7 assists-per-game, 1.3 steals-per-game and nearly one block-per-game.

Sophomore center Justin Motley has been the paint protector and an offensive threat since returning to the court. While averaging just under six points-per-game, he has added a unique depth that not many teams own. He currently averages 1. 5 blocks-per-game and has recorded a three double-doubles.

Freshman point guard Melvin Walker has started all but three games this season and averages 9.4 points-per-game accompanied by 2.5 assists-per-game, while freshman guard Xavier Ford backs him with 8.1 points-per-game. He is coming off a career-high 19 points in the conference finale.

Per CCCAA rules and regulations, there will be a cost for admission to the game. General admission tickets will be sold for $12, while all faculty, staff, students, fans over 60 years old, and children under 12 years old will be charged $8. There will be a $5 charge for parking and passes are available at the parking kiosks located in parking lot "k" and "e". Click here to view the RCC Athletics campus map.

The contest will be live streamed on Riverside Athletics YouTube Channel. Click here for the link.