The Riverside City College women's basketball team entered into the final day of Riverside's "Earn Our Stripes" Tournament this Sunday with a chance to bring home the championship hardware by facing off against the Glendale College Vaqueros in the title showdown. The Tigers led wire-to-wire en route to their third-consecutive E.O.S. Championship title by the final score of 61-51.
Sophomore guard Dejah Wright (Moreno Valley, CA) was named the E.O.S. Tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring 20 plus points in each contest. Her performances were highlighted by a record-breaking 44 points in a game one victory over Grossmont. She led the tournament by averaging 28.7 points-per-game and draining 8.7 buckets-per-game. Furthermore, she paced the tournament at the charity stripe by cashing in for 31 total points while averaging 10.3 free throws-per-contest.
Freshman guard Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, CA) was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 13.7 points-per-game which ranked eighth in the tournament. Her performances were highlighted by a 24 point showing in a victory over Solano. In that game, she played all 40 minutes of regulation.
In the championship win, the Tigers jumped ahead by riding an early 10-1 run to provide a comfortable cushion. Wright was the main offensive threat by draining a triple following her first bucket of the contest. Sophomore forward Joana Adams (Palm Springs, CA) snapped a trio of free throws in the process.
However, Glendale hit a hot streak in the final three minutes to bring the score to 14-11 in the Tigers' favor after the first quarter.
Riverside got back on the horse to outscore the Vaqueros by six points. Adams continued to work her way to the free throw line and convert. She also chipped in a jumper that was assisted by freshman guard Kimari Hollis (Moreno Valley, CA) en route to a 26-17 advantage at halftime.
Hollis remained aggressive in the early stages of the third quarter by kicking off the frame with a pair of free throws. However, the Vaqueros pulled within six until Wright worked her way to the line for two points. Adams added a jumper late in the third to hold a six-point lead at 40-34 entering into the final frame.
Adams began the final 10 minutes of action with a set of free throws to continue the forceful tone. Wright followed by rising for a jumper and then hitting a three pointer the following possession to extend their lead to 47-39.
Dewitt began to make an impact by hitting a free throw then following with a layup assisted by Hollis. The defense turned into offense for the Tigers shortly after with Adams pocketing a steal leading to another Hollis layup.
From then on, the Tigers were able to fend off a pesky Glendale press en route to the 61-51 win.
Wright recorded a game-high 22 points which included a flawless 6-for-6 from the free throw stripe. Adams flushed 19 points and hauled in seven rebounds, while Hollis followed with 11 points.
The Tigers (3-2) will continue action on Saturday, November 18th in the Palomar Tournament.
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