Riverside Upsets #12 Ventura

Riverside City College grabbed a big 78-72 victory over No. 12-ranked Ventura College on Saturday to close out its three-day tournament.

The Tigers improve to 6-5 on the year, while the Pirates drop to 8-3 overall.

Kollen Murphy led RCC with 26 points (10-for-19), while PJ Pounds chipped in 21 points (9-for-15) and grabbed 13 rebounds. Christian Warren rounded out the Tigers in double figures with 12 points (4-for-8), while Matthias Tinker grabbed 12 boards.

RCC finished with a 45.6 shooting percentage, with over half its points coming in the paint (42).

The Tigers held a 42-33 lead at halftime, but the Pirates came out fired up and made things interesting in the final two minutes of action after pulling within five, 77-72.

Ventura tried to foul to get the ball back, but RCC kept the visitors from capitalizing on offense to seal the 78-72 victory.

Riverside remains at home to host another tough opponent as San Bernardino Valley College comes to Wheelock Gym on Wednesday for a 5 p.m. tipoff.