Offense Outstanding as Owls Oust Barstow

Glendora, CA – In what's shaping up to be arguably one of the toughest divisions in the State, the WSC East race wrapped up the first half of conference play on Saturday afternoon. With that in mind, the Owls picked up a huge win on the day, defeating Barstow College 103-90. The Vikings headed into Saturday's game in a three-way tie with Citrus and Antelope Valley for first place, and the win left the Owls as co-leaders with the Marauders.

Citrus' offense rolled throughout the entirety of the game, especially in the start when the Owls hit five of their first six three-point attempts to run out to a 15-6 lead. Barstow eventually slowed the Owls down somewhat, all the while getting their roster rolling and keeping it close enough to take their first lead of the game 35-34 with 6:24 left in the first half.

Barstow would maintain the lead until there was just over four minutes left in the half, when freshman Khalil Wililams scored five straight for the Owls to put them back on top 45-42. Citrus would maintain the lead through the half when they went into halftime ahead 53-49.

In the second half, Citrus lead for the entire time, but Barstow never really let Citrus get comfortable. The Owls wouldn't see a double-digit lead until a pair of free-throws by sophomore Kenneth Cyprian with 4:25 to go made it 88-77. The Vikings would get their deficit back down to nine a few times down the stretch, but never got any closer.

In the win, Cyprian scored a career and game high 33 points. Freshman Jeremy Smith had 24 points and eight assists. Williams chipped in with 14 off the bench throwing in two blocks and a steal, while freshman Kyle Gray rounded out the superlatives with 11 points and seven boards, also off the bench.

With the win, Citrus improves to 19-5 overall and 4-1 in WSC East play. The Owls will take a break from conference action on Wednesday before resuming conference play on Saturday night back at home against Los Angeles Valley College. Tip is set for 3:00 PM.