Preview: Riverside Tigers at Fullerton Hornets

FULLERTON, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging Riverside Tigers squad aims to hand the state-leading Fullerton Hornets just their second loss of the season when the men’s junior college basketball teams meet Wednesday night.

The Hornets (21-1), whose only blemish was a 39-37 road loss to Santa Monica in mid-December, have been dominant in California Community College Athletic Association play. They enter the contest on a 10-game winning streak, which includes an 80-64 victory over these same Tigers on Jan. 9. In that game, Fullerton held Riverside to 35% shooting from the field.

Fullerton’s strength is anchored by forward Brayden Smith, who is coming off a powerful 20-point, 13-rebound, 4-block performance in a 72-66 win at Saddleback last Friday. His interior presence on both ends of the floor has been a constant for the state’s top-ranked team.

Riverside (13-8), however, arrives with momentum of its own. The Tigers have won five of their last six games, including a 105-62 rout of Orange Coast on Jan. 30. In that victory, forward PJ Pounds was highly efficient, scoring 18 points in just 14 minutes. Pounds, who averages a near double-double, posted 11 points and 2 rebounds in the first meeting with Fullerton and will be a key factor if the Tigers hope to spring the upset.

The Tigers’ recent success has been built on improved defense, holding three of their last four opponents under 65 points. They will need that defensive intensity to slow a balanced Fullerton attack that averages over 75 points per game.

Since the Jan. 9 loss, Riverside has gone 5-2, suggesting a more competitive rematch. A Tigers win would significantly bolster their playoff positioning, while a Fullerton victory would further solidify their hold on the conference’s top seed.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Fullerton College Gymnasium.