Don’t Look Now

Glendora, CA -- Don't look now, but the Citrus College Men's Basketball team, which many left for dead in December, has now won six of its last seven contests and looks like they may be rounding into form. The Owls put together arguably their best 40 minutes of basketball on Saturday night in a resounding 91-74 victory over a talented Santa Monica College squad.

Despite a turnover on its first possession that led to a score for Santa Monica, the Owls came out on fire, drilling its first five three's on the night and running out to a 17-7 lead less than four minutes into the game. That first Santa Monica score would be the Corsair's only lead of the night, as the Owls nearly lead wire to wire.

The Owls' lead would grow to as large as 19 points midway through the first half after a steal by freshman Kumase Demesma led to a fast break dunk from sophomore Kerry Carter. Santa Monica would whittle the lead down to seven points with 3:52 to go, but two combined free-throws from Carter and sophomore Jordan Mackie along with a jumper from Mackie and another dunk from Carter put the lead back to 13. Santa Monica would cut the lead down to 11 before the break, but the Owls led comfortably 47-36 at the half.  

Citrus picked up where they left off in the first to start the second as they opened it up with a tip-in from sophomore Brent Watkins and a three from Carter on their first two possessions. Santa Monica would cut it two 12 with back to back baskets, but the Corsairs wouldn't get any closer the rest of the way. Citrus' lead ballooned to as much as 24 points, three different times in the final seven minutes of the game, before the Owls settled in for the 17 point win.

Carter finished with a game high 32 points, throwing in eight rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals for good measure. Watkins reeled in a game high 13 boards, while sophomore Steven Thornton Jr. and Mackie were the only other two Owls to finish in double figures with 13 and 12 respectively. Freshman point guard Darius Middleton rounded out the superlatives as he dished out 12 assists, while turning over the ball just once. It's the second time he's reached that number in a single game this year, and both are program records.

With the win, Citrus improves to 11-7 overall and 4-1 in WSC South play. Saturday's game ends the first half of conference play for the Owls. Citrus will be off until next Saturday when they start the final five games of conference play starting with a 5:00 PM trip to Glendale College.