RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — In a high-scoring California Community College Athletic Association men’s basketball game Saturday, the Riverside Tigers avenged an early-season loss by holding off the Ventura Pirates 78-72.

The game, a rematch of a 32-point Ventura victory just over a month ago, featured a torrid offensive pace from the opening tip. Both teams combined for 75 points in a frantic first quarter, with Riverside taking a 42-33 lead. The Tigers maintained that advantage throughout a second quarter where the offenses cooled only slightly, ultimately securing the six-point victory to even their season record at 5-5. Ventura fell to 8-3.

The most important part of the game was Riverside’s consistent ability to answer every Ventura push with a critical basket, often generated by its dynamic backcourt. Despite a spectacular 31-point performance from Ventura’s Snookey Wigington, the Tigers’ duo of Kollen Murphy and PJ Pounds proved too much to contain. Murphy, Riverside’s top star, scored a game-high 26 points, while Pounds dominated the interior with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Ventura, which never led after the opening minutes, cut the deficit to a single possession on several occasions in the final quarter. Each time, Riverside responded. When the Pirates closed to 71-69 with under six minutes to play, Pounds converted a layup. After Ventura again pulled within two points at 73-71, Pounds threw down a decisive dunk to push the lead back to four with 4:45 remaining. Riverside then sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final minute.

Jerimiyah Smith posted a double-double for Ventura with 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Baron Bellamy added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Christian Warren provided crucial support for Riverside with 12 points and eight rebounds.

The win marked a significant turnaround for Riverside, which entered the contest on a two-game losing streak and had been soundly defeated by the Pirates in October. Ventura saw a two-game win streak snapped ahead of a road game at Bakersfield on Thursday. Riverside will host San Bernardino Valley on Wednesday.