Preview: Santiago Canyon at Riverside Men’s Basketball

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — A key California community college men’s basketball matchup is set for Wednesday when the Santiago Canyon Hawks visit the Riverside City Tigers.

The Hawks (14-4) enter with the stronger overall record, but the Tigers (11-8) will look to defend their home court in a conference clash. Santiago Canyon is coming off a narrow 76-75 road victory at Saddleback last Friday, while Riverside handled Cypress 73-56 on the same night.

A compelling duel between standout performers will be in focus. Santiago Canyon’s Paris Lassiter is riding a wave of strong play, posting a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Saddleback, following a 10-point, 11-rebound effort against Fullerton on Jan. 22.

For Riverside, guard Kollen Murphy has been a consistent offensive force. He dropped 22 points in the win over Cypress and is capable of explosive performances, as shown by his 30-point outing in a 78-76 win over Irvine Valley on Jan. 16.

In their last meeting, detailed records were not provided, setting the stage for a fresh chapter in this rivalry. The Hawks have shown resilience in close games, with their last two contests decided by a single point. The Tigers have been inconsistent lately, alternating wins and losses over their past six games.

Santiago Canyon’s balance was evident against Saddleback, with Dominic Bolton scoring 17 points and Jacob De Armas adding 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists alongside Lassiter’s double-double. Riverside’s Jabari Harris (14 points) and Tylon Williams (11 points) provided crucial support for Murphy in their latest victory.

The outcome could hinge on which star shines brighter and which team controls the paint, where both Lassiter and Murphy frequently operate.

Following this game, Santiago Canyon will host Santa Ana on Friday. Riverside will also be at home Friday, facing Orange Coast. The teams are scheduled for a rematch at Santiago Canyon on Feb. 20.