Playoff Preview: Citrus College at Mt. San Jacinto College

About Tonight's Match-Up
Tonight's game is the seventh meeting overall between Citrus College and Mt. San Jacinto College since the 2005-2006 season, and the second this year. In that span, the Eagles are 4-2 against the Owls, including a 93-75 win over Citrus earlier this year in the 3rd Place Game of the 2014 Knight's Invitational hosted by San Diego City College. The two schools also squared off against each other last year in the third round of the post-season, also in San Jacinto. That game was just as ugly for Citrus as they lost 61-92. Mt. San Jacinto has won their last four meetings with the Owls. In the game earlier this year, just Citrus' third of the young season, the Owls were paced by freshman Mark Williams' team high 17 points, while Mt. San Jacinto was led by Samuel Williams' game high 18 points and game high 11 rebounds.

About the Eagles
Under longtime assistant but first year head coach Trent Skinner, the Eagles picked up right where they left off last year, by winning the Pacific Coast North Division Championship. Mt. San Jacinto lost their first two games in conference play, but turned things around and won 10 of their next 11, with their only misstep being a 73-83 lost to San Diego City College in cross-divisional play.

The Eagles are paced by sophomore big man Samuel Williams who leads the State in scoring at 25.8 points per game. Williams also averages 7.1 boards a game, second best on the team, and is shooting 54.4% from the floor, 41.9% from three, and 77.7% from the free-throw line. Williams was the Player of the Year in the Pacific Coast North and was also recently named the California Community College Sports Information Association California Community College Athletic Association State Athlete of the Month for January.

Williams isn't the only threat the Eagles possess. Freshman guard PeeWee Gardner is averaging 11.8 points and 4.6 assists per game, while sophomore guard Blake O'Donnell nearly averages a double-double at 10.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Last Time Out
Citrus heads into the post-season somewhat limping. The Owls lost their last two contests, and three of their last five. The only bright spot in that stretch for Citrus was a 86-83 win over Antelope Valley that saw the Owls rally from 24 down to secure the win. In a loss to West LA a week ago Wednesday, Citrus fell behind early and never got back in things, while in a loss to Canyons in their season finale last Saturday, Citrus blew a considerable second half lead.

In the loss to Canyons, Citrus got 13 points each from sophomore John Roach and Ryan Wiley, while freshman Mark Williams added 12. Citrus struggled from downtown in both contests, shooting just 35.3% (6 of 17) against the Cougars and 17.6% (3 of 17) against West LA.

The Owls In the Post-Season
Citrus College is entering its ninth straight California Community College Athletic Association Playoffs. Starting in the 2006-2007 season, the Owls are 19-7 (.731 win %) in the playoffs in that stretch. Of those seven losses, three have come on the road in the post-season, including their exits in each of the last two post-seasons. Most interesting though, is that since the 2006-2007, the Owls have won at least one playoff game in each of its last eight appearances, including road victories in each of their last two seasons.

How to Follow
The Official Twitter Account of Citrus College Athletics @ccfightingowls will be posting live updates throughout the evening. You can also join the Owls in person in San Jacinto where general admission is $10 and $7 for students, faculty, staff (all with ID), senior citizens 60 and over, and children under 12.