Hill’s Second Half, Powers Owls Past Valley
Valley Glen, CA — The Citrus College Men's Basketball program snapped a two game losing streak on Wednesday evening when they travelled to LA Valley College. The Owls powered past the Monarchs thanks in large part to the second half effort of sophomore Chaunce Hill, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the final 20 minutes alone, in what was a 71-63 win by Citrus.
Citrus got off to a slow start on the night, missing their first five attempts from the floor and falling into a 10-5 hole early in the first half. The Owls' first lead wouldn't come until with just over eight minutes to play in the first half sophomore Justin Childress hit a triple from the left wing to make it 14-13. From that point forward Citrus never trailed.
The Monarchs would keep it close despite coughing up that early lead. The Owls led by just three points at the break 29-26 one by just a single point twice in the early going of the second half. Citrus didn't rattle though and used a pair of free-throws from sophomore Dominique Walker to fend off the first salvo by the Monarchs, and then a big three from sophomore Edgardo Campos with 14:16 left in the game to make it 40-36 and allow the Owls just a little more breathing room.
LA Valley would make two more runs at the Owls before it was all said and done, getting the Citrus lead down to two with just over eight minutes to go. The Owls rallied with a jumper in the paint from Walker and two from sophomore John Roach to extend their lead back out. The Monarchs' last ditch effort came in the closing minute when they made it a two possession game. The Owls got one of Hill's big baskets though, and closed out Valley at the line, hanging on for the eight point win.
In the win, Citrus dominated the battle of the boards out rebounding the Monarchs 52-32, including a 22-7 edge on the offensive side of the glass. Hill would finish with a team high 16 points to go along with 15 total rebounds, a game high effort. Walked matched Hill's 16, while freshman Mark Williams added 12 rebounds, seven of which we're offensive boards.
With the win, Citrus improves to 10-7 overall and 3-2 in WSC South play. The Owls will be back at home on Saturday when they play host to West Los Angeles College (12-4, 3-2) at 3:00 PM. The two teams are currently tied for second place in the WSC South, with four teams sitting one game back at 2-3.