UNLV-Bound Players Lift Riverside Over Glendale in Overtime

It doesn’t quite rival his memorable upset of UCLA back in the 1968-69 season, but former USC Coach Bob Boyd has pulled another coup.

Boyd, who coached the Trojans to an upset of the Lew Alcindor-led Bruins one season, these days pilots the Riverside College Tigers--or should we say the Nevada Las Vegas junior varsity?

Boyd’s top 2 players, Bobby Joyce and Evric Gray, have committed to UNLV after they raise their grades at Riverside.

Wednesday, in the opening round of the Antelope Valley Tournament, the UNLV-bound pair razed Glendale, leading Riverside to a 63-55 overtime victory.

In other first-round games involving Valley-area teams, Joe Manliguis scored 26 points to lead Valley to a 72-59 win over Porterville, and Kevin Price had 18 points as College of the Canyons trounced Barstow, 108-77.

Joyce, a 6-8 freshman center, had 16 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in the win over Glendale (2-1). Gray, a 6-7 freshman forward, led all scorers with 20 points and added 14 rebounds before fouling out with a minute to play in regulation.

“Maybe Joyce is going to bypass UNLV and go directly to the NBA,” Glendale Coach Brian Beauchemin said. “He’s a pretty good player inside.”

After Gray scored 16 first-half points to help give Riverside a 35-26 lead at intermission, Joyce took over, scoring 10 of his points in the second half and overtime.

The Tigers (5-2) appeared to have the game well in hand, leading, 48-40, with 5:35 to play, but Glendale embarked on a 12-2 run and took a 52-50 lead on 2 free throws by former Notre Dame High guard Bruce Heicke with a minute left in regulation.

Heicke, who led the Vaqueros with 19 points, including 3 of 4 three-point shots, joined teammate Dave Swanson (14 points) in spearheading the late run. Heicke had 5 of the 12 points plus a steal and an assist, and Swanson also scored 5 points.

After Heicke’s free throws put Glendale ahead, Riverside’s Stacey Anderson tied the score, 52-52, with a bank shot in the lane with 19 seconds remaining.

Glendale had a chance to win, but Clarence Williams’ short turnaround was rejected by Joyce.

Joyce took over in overtime, scoring the first 5 points, and Glendale never got closer than 4 the rest of the way.

Barstow faces Glendale at 10:30 this morning, Riverside plays Canyons at 5:30 p.m. and Valley plays Fort Irwin at 7:15 p.m.