Men’s Basketball Shocked By El Camino In Season Opener

Torrance, CA -- The Citrus College Men's Basketball team, pegged as the #1 team in Southern California in the pre-season coaches' poll, was shocked by host El Camino College on Friday evening in their season opener 87-85. The Owls shot just 38.3% from the floor, and were out-rebounded 52-44 by the Warriors in the loss.

The game would be close throughout with seven lead changes and 10 ties. The Owls would lead late in the first half, 39-37, but the Warriors closed the first half on a 7-0 run to take a 44-39 lead at the break. Citrus would take the lead back midway through the second half after a Kerry Carter trey made it 60-57 with 11:04 left on the clock.

The Owls would hang on to that lead, even increasing it to 10 points with eight minutes to go, but the Warriors rallied, taking the lead back with just over three minutes to go. That's a lead they wouldn't relinquish as Citrus fell by two points.

Carter led the way for Citrus with a game high 23 points, and a game high 11 boards. Sophomore Steven Thornton Jr. added 18 and four steals.

With the loss, Citrus falls to 0-1 on the year. The Owls will have to wait until next weekend to try and get things back on track, and the task won't be any easier as they take on SoCal #2 Mt. San Jacinto College in the opening round of the Knight's Invitational hosted by San Diego City College.