Tigers Open OEC Action Victorious

No. 26-ranked Riverside City College opened Orange Empire Conference action Monday afternoon with a 79-57 victory at Orange Coast College.

The Tigers improve to 9-5 overall and begin conference with a 1-0 mark, while the Pirates slip to 4-8 on the year and start OEC action at 0-1.

Andre Skelin led the Tigers with a massive double-double, posting 25 points (9-for-14) and 22 rebounds. Deacon Toliver followed with 12 points on an impressive 5-of-6 shooting, while Corey Mitchell added 11 points (5-for-9). Jayden Miller dished out seven assists in the win.

As a team, RCC shot 53.6 percent from the floor, despite only a 23.5 percent performance from the perimeter, and limited OCC to a 27.1 shooting percentage. The Tigers also dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Pirates 52-to-35.  

It was back-and-forth early on until Riverside took a double-digit lead just over four minutes before halftime on a Skelin putback.

OCC tried to keep the visitors within reach, but RCC pulled away and held as much as a 27-point lead with a minute to go before holding on for the 79-57 victory.

The Tigers continue OEC action on Wednesday for their final game of 2024, tipping off at 5 p.m. at Santa Ana College.