Stumbled Down the Stretch

San Diego, CA -- The Citrus College Men's Basketball team opened up their 2014-2015 campaign this weekend, and while they looked good out of the gates with a win, they stumbled down the stretch with an eight point and then an 18 point loss in their final two contests.

The weekend started off against Grossmont College, and while the Owls didn't dominate they looked good winning 73-63. The Owls shot 43.1% from the floor and out-rebounded their opponent by six. Sophomore Jordan Jefferson scored a game high 18 points, while fellow soph John Roach added 16. Freshman Mark Williams had an impressive debut, scoring 16 points and pulling in 11 rebounds.

On Saturday things began to go downhill. The Owls took on Southwestern College and trailed the Jaguars by just one at the break 30-29, despite shooting just 37.9% from the floor and 38.5% from the charity stripe. In the second half though Citrus had a five minute stretch where they went cold from the floor and they never really recovered as they went on to lose 78-70. Sophomore Dominique Walker had a team high 21 points and Williams added 16 and 8.

On Sunday, the Owls fell behind early to Mt. San Jacinto College and never really got back into it. The Eagles led Citrus 48-32 at the break, before putting the game away in the second half with a 93-75 victory. Williams had a team high 17 in the win, while sophomore Justin Childress came off the bench to add 15.

The Owls won't be back out on the floor until November 28th when they host Moorpark College in the first round of Citrus' annual Thanksgiving tournament. The first game of the 2014 Neil Edwards Classic is set for a 1:00 PM start.