Men’s Basketball Pushes Past Santiago Canyon in Double OT Thriller
With just three second remaining in the second overtime period of the Riverside City College men's basketball Orange Empire Conference (OEC) opener against Santiago Canyon on Wednesday night, the Tigers were faced with a two-point deficit. Riverside looked to sophomore guard Brae Ivey (Huntington Beach, CA) for an answer and he responded by rising up and drilling a three pointer as time expired to haul in a 90-87 victory in a contest that saw 14 ties and 14 lead changes.
It was a very evenly matched game with both teams posting similar numbers in all categories. Riverside slightly outshot Santiago Canyon by boasting a 47% mark from the floor and utilized a bench that chipped in 14 points – 12 coming from the hand of freshman guard Tian Daniels (Rancho Cucamonga, CA).
The game was a back and forth affair since the opening tip. Riverside's largest lead was a five-point spread coming with just two minutes remaining in the second overtime frame. Additionally, the Tigers only faced a deficit as large as six points in the game coming late in the first half.
The Tigers had a pair of chances to put them game away by holding the final shots at the end of regulation and the second overtime period, where Ivey came in clutch by hitting the three ball at the buzzer. In the first overtime period, sophomore guard Andre Wilson (Colton, CA) forced the second overtime period by dropping five points in the 1:34 which included a three pointer backed by a jumper. Santiago Canyon then failed to hit the final shot, thus forcing another frame.
Ivey was a three assists away from notching a triple double. He finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. His 32 points acts as a season-high and he has finished in double-digits in the last five contests.
Wilson followed with 20 points in a clutch way by going 4-for-9 from downtown and hauling in seven rebounds. He has landed in double-digits in each game he has played and holds a nine-game double-digit scoring streak.
The Tigers (10-5, 1-0 OEC) will return to action this Friday, January 5th as they take on the No. 5 Fullerton College Hornets (12-4, 1-0 OEC) at home at 5 p.m.