Owls Take it to the Wire with Hornets

In the Fullerton Tournament Consolation Championship game, No. 16-ranked Citrus College took on top-ranked Fullerton College and came up just short in a 67-64 defeat.

The Owls drop to 7-4 while the Hornets improve to 10-1 on the year.

Four Owls finished the game in double figures, led by Chris Harper's 17-point night (6-for-11). Chris Chiles followed with 15 points (5-for-8) and led Citrus with seven boards. Cedric Reed chipped in 12 points (4-for-8) and Leonard Turner added 11 points (5-for-12).

As a team, Citrus only turned the ball over six times, while forcing 16 turnovers that resulted in 23 points for the Owls, including four key points in the final minute of action.

With four minutes left in the game, Fullerton looked like it had the game in the bag after taking its largest lead, 61-50. Citrus wouldn't give up, however, and Harper drained a three off a Turner assist with just over a minute to play to put the Owls within single digits, 65-58.

Chiles stole the ball away with 22 seconds left, leading to a Harper layup before the Hornets turned the ball over again to put the Owls back on the attack. Turner took advantage of Fullerton's mishap, banking in a shot to put the Owls within two points, 66-64.

With four seconds left on the clock, the Owls fouled to try to get the ball back. The Hornet missed the first but made the second to put Fullerton up by three.

Time expired before Citrus could get a good shot off, however, ending the game at 67-64.

The Owls return home to host 11^th-ranked East Los Angeles on Wednesday, tipping off at 5:00 p.m. in the Owls' Nest.