RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — The Riverside men’s basketball team delivered a commanding offensive performance to defeat Santiago Canyon 91-75 in a California junior college matchup Wednesday night, overcoming a significant pregame projection that favored the visiting Hawks.

Fueled by efficient scoring and a disruptive defense, the Tigers improved to 12-8 overall, while the Hawks fell to 14-5.

The most pivotal stretch of the game occurred early, setting a decisive tone. After a sloppy opening minute from both sides, Riverside quickly erased a brief deficit and seized control with a 19-4 run midway through the first quarter. The Tigers’ defense was the catalyst, forcing five Santiago Canyon turnovers during the surge. Riverside converted those mistakes into easy baskets, with PJ Pounds capping the run with a steal and a layup to give the Tigers a 21-8 lead, forcing a Hawks timeout.

Riverside never relinquished that advantage. The Tigers maintained relentless pressure, finishing the game with 10 steals and capitalizing on 19 Santiago Canyon turnovers, which they converted into a substantial points-off-turnovers margin. Offensively, Riverside operated with precision, posting an offensive rating of 123.7 by scoring 91 points on just 74 possessions. They shot 52.4 percent from the floor and connected on 16 of 18 free throws.

Kollen Murphy led all scorers with 21 points for Riverside, continuing a strong stretch of play. He was supported by a balanced attack that saw Jayden Harper add 12 points, while Jaedon Hose-Shea and PJ Pounds each contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Tigers’ ball movement, evidenced by 10 assists, consistently found open looks against the Hawks’ defense.

Santiago Canyon, which entered the game with a 68.3 percent win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, struggled to find its rhythm. The Hawks shot just 20 percent from three-point range and were hampered by turnovers. Paris Lassiter posted a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds in the loss, and Ryan Weber added 13 points and eight rebounds, but the team’s offensive rating of 100.3 paled in comparison to Riverside’s efficiency.

Despite being out-rebounded 33-30 and committing 26 personal fouls, Riverside’s ability to protect the ball, committing only 10 turnovers, and capitalize on Santiago Canyon’s mistakes proved to be the difference. The Tigers built a 47-33 halftime lead and answered every Hawks push in the second half, maintaining a double-digit cushion for nearly the entire final 30 minutes.

Santiago Canyon looks to rebound Friday when it hosts Santa Ana. Riverside will also be at home Friday to face Orange Coast. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch at Santiago Canyon on Feb. 20.