Where It Counts

Valley Glen, CA -- If you take a look at the box score from the Citrus College Men's Basketball team's game at LA Valley College on Saturday night, you'd see that the Monarchs bested the Owls in nearly every statistical category. Valley had a higher shooting percentage in all facets of the game and out-rebounded the Owls to boot. They didn't beat them where it counted though as Citrus committed 12 fewer turnovers and converted 21 more free-throws attempts in an 80-74 win.

Valley started off like the hot team, running out to a 10-2 lead early on. Citrus slowly worked their way back into the game getting their deficit down to two twice before the half, before going into the break trailing by five 40-35.

In the second half, Citrus went to work. Attacking basket and forcing their way to the free-throw line where they score their first four points of the period. Four minutes in, the Owls tied it up after a three from freshman Darius Middleton knotted it up at 44 points a piece. Three possessions later, freshman Terrell Todd gave the Owls their first lead of the game with a trey that made it 47-46.

At that point, the game was on. Valley took the lead back, but Citrus got it back right after with another three ball from Todd. The Monarchs would regain the lead two possessions later, but the Owls got it back on their next trip down the floor when sophomore Steven Thornton Jr. hit a jumper that put Citrus back up 61-60.

From that point forward, Citrus never trailed. Valley would get their deficit down to one with just over four minutes to go, but another big three ball from Todd put the Owls back up by four. After that their lead was never less than four for the remainder of the contest.

Todd would finish with a team high 15 points in the win, going 5 of 7 from the field and 4 of 6 from three. Thornton Jr. added 14, while sophomore Kerry Carter chipped in with 11. Freshman Darius Middleton and sophomore Brent Watkins rounded out the double digit scorers for the Owls with 10 points each.

Wth the win, Citrus improves to 12-9 on the year and 5-3 in Western State Conference South Division play. The Owls have two regular season conference contests left on their 2013 schedule and both are must win games for Citrus. The first is Wednesday when they hit the road to take on Santa Monica College who is also in need of a win. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM.