Owls Bow Out In Regional Quarterfinals

San Jacinto, CA -- For the first time in eight years, the Citrus College Men's Basketball teams season ended without a win in the post-season. The Owls' season came to a close at Mt. San Jacinto College for the second straight year in a 69-87 loss at the hands of the Eagles.

Friday's game was closer than the final score indicated. MSJC scored the games first six points, but the Owls scored seven straight to take their first lead of the game after a thunderous dunk from sophomore Chaunce Hill. The Eagles briefly regained the lead with a pair of free-throws, but Citrus used an 8-2 run to go up 15-10 after a tip-in from sophomore Dominique Walker. 

Citrus would hang onto that lead for the rest of the first half. The Owls' lead was as large as nine after a jumper from Walker made it 33-24 and went back to eight after four straight points by the Eagles was broken up by a trey from sophomore Steven Polee Jr.  Mt. San Jacinto chipped away at that lead, and Citrus went into the break up 40-37.

The Owls kept momentum on their side in the opening minute of the second half getting another dunk by Hill and a basket by freshman Mark Williams. The Eagles would not be deterred. San Jacinto tied the game up at 48-48, but sophomore Jordan Jefferson broke the tie with a pair of free-throws. That would be the last time Citrus led. 

The Eagle followed up Jeffersons free-throws by going on a 10-0 run to pull ahead by eight. Citrus would get it down to four after a pair of free-throws from freshman Tyler LaCour and another basket by Williams, but the Owls never got any closer. Citrus made one last desperate attempt with just under two minutes to go, pulling to within 10 after a trey by sophomore John Roach, but MSJC closed the game with a 11-3 run.

In the loss, Citrus turned the ball over 14 times, including nine in the second half alone. The Eagles took advantage of nearly every single one, out scoring Citrus 23-8. 

Roach would finish with a team high 16 in the loss. Williams added 11 and a team high 12 boards. With the loss, Citrus' season closes with a 16-11 record.