LaCour’s Big Night Propels Owls Past Cerritos Into Regional Finals

Glendora, CA – Sophomore Tyler LaCour dropped a career high 23 points, and the Owls led from start to finish as Citrus moved past Cerritos into the CCCAA Southern California Regional Finals next weekend. Citrus held the visiting Falcons to a 6 for 24 performance from downtown and just 34.3% shooting from the floor as the Owls defeated 10th seeded Cerritos 79-67.

LaCour helped Citrus set the tempo early by scoring Citrus' first eight point from the floor, hitting a pair of triples and getting a hook in the paint to fall. Freshman Jeremy Smith would add a layup off a block by LaCour on the defensive end and before anyone could blink Citrus had a 10-2 lead.

Cerritos, which finished second in the South Coast Conference South Division wouldn't slink away though, pulling to within three-points of the Owls lead twice, once with 8:43 to go and the last with 1:27 left in the first half. The first time, Citrus responded with a 5-0 run, and the second Citrus got back-to-back treys from Smith and LaCour to head into the break ahead 33-27.

In the second half Citrus would continue to keep Cerritos at arm's length throughout the final 20 minutes of action. The closest the Falcons would get would be five points with 12:38 to go, but Citrus got a jumper from none other than LaCour and a pair of free-throws from sophomore Kenneth Cyprian to push their lead back to nine. The Falcons broke up the small 4-0 run with a layup, but Citrus answered that with a 10-0 run that pushed their lead back to double-digits where it stayed nearly the remainder of the game.

In the win, LaCour finished with that career and game high 23. Smith added 20, while freshman Kyle Gray had 14 off the bench. LaCour added three blocks, three assists, and three boards, while sophomore Calvin Martin was responsible for a game high seven rebounds.

With the win, Citrus improves to 24-6. The Owls will take on the winner of Saddleback College and Antelope Valley College who play on Saturday night. If the Guachos prevail Citrus will hit the road next Saturday. If the Marauders pull off the upset, Citrus will be home next Saturday at 7:00 PM.