Tight Game Slips Through the Cracks in Conference Duel

Despite battling it out in a close game through 3 quarters, Citrus Women's Basketball was unable to capitalize in the 4th and snag the win against visiting WSC East rival Glendale College on Wednesday. The Owls fell to the Vaqueros 55-64.

Countless lead changes, ties and a margin of no more than 5 points through 3 quarters defined the game. But the Vaqueros surged in the 4th quarter, going on a 12-2 run at one point to establish the lead and finish the game on top. Citrus moves to 1-1 in the WSC East, where Glendale now sits atop with a 2-0 record. The Owls are a respectable 12-8 overall, having played one of the toughest preseason schedules in the region. 

The significant difference makers last night were 3 point and free throw percentages, as the Owls struggled to sink long range shots at just a 14% clip contrasted by the Vaqueros hitting 42%; Citrus was 57% from the charity stripe compared to Glendale's 87.5%. Most other statistical categories were a dead heat for the teams. 

Individually, Citrus had a couple of key performances. Sophomore small forward Keely Wall, who is 5th in the entire state in total rebounds with 242, continued to assert herself on the boards as she snatched a game high 7 rebounds. Wall also chipped in 9 points and continues to average a double double, a most impressive stat line for the role playing veteran. Wall is also 11th in the state in rebounds per game with 12.1. Post player Kyannie Brown scored 14 and pulled down 6 rebounds. Guard Diana Navarro, who is 7th in the state in minutes per game with 36.3, knocked down 11 points and dished out 3 assists. Navarro also sits at 7th in the state in free throw percentage with 79.7 of her shots falling, despite not getting to the line in last night's loss. Reserve Malia Rocha came off the bench and put up big numbers, posting her 2nd highest point total of the season with 10. Rocha had 5 rebounds and 4 assists to round out her stat line. (She also belted out the National Anthem in the pregame to the delight of her teammates and the home crowd.)

Citrus takes the floor again Saturday in a WSC East conference game at Barstow. Game time is 5:00 PM. 

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