Alexis Naucler | Staff Writer

Dec. 1, 2014

The Riverside City College women’s basketball team improved to 3-1 overall on the season following victory against the MiraCosta Spartans, 69-50, on Nov. 15 at the Wheelock Gymnasium.

RCC basketball coach Alicia Berber believed both team having had injuries was a big factor.

“They’re a competitive team,” said Berber. “They’re playing with a lot of injuries right now and so are we, we’re down to eight.”

Despite the lack of depth on the roster, Berber felt the team put forth a good effort.

With half the roster consisting of freshman, the Tigers are still trying to get familiar with one another on the court.

“Overall, I just thought it was a good team effort, I thought our post-players did a good job on the court,” said Berber. “I think we’re doing a good job as limited as we are and as young as we are.”

“We’re just trying to get together and find our nitch as a team and find what our identity is,” Berber said.

After a short stint at Florida A&M University, sophomore center Tori Mitchell has returned to the Riverside area, where she played at Riverside Poly High School, with the hopes of contributing to the Tigers this season.

“We could’ve executed more on defense and ran through the plays more,” said Mitchell. “As a team, I want us all to do well.”

Mitchell has also set personal goals for herself in regards to contributing to her team, specifically with rebounding.

“Personally, I’m trying to get the most rebounds and go for the record,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell had game-high 12 rebounds and 19 points for a double-double against the Spartans. Tigers’ sophomore guard Tierra Fugua had a game high 10 assists.

“That might be up there in the single-game records,” Berber said in response to Fugua’s performance.

The Tigers will be on the road starting Dec. 4 in the Sequoias Tournament against Solano College.

In the Tom Gilcrest Invitational Tournament Dec. 5-7 and at the Cerritos College Dec. 12.