Owls Open Season With Win

Citrus College started the new year on a positive note with a 78-71 victory over Mt. San Antonio College Wednesday night.

The Owls, who sit No. 3 in the South, begin the new season with a 1-0 record while the Mounties open at 0-1.

Anthony Tello led all scorers with 21 points (8-for-14), with two assists and three steals. Uriah Foster followed with 17 points (6-for-8) and grabbed six rebounds. Rudy Suarez was hot from distance, sinking five treys to chip in 16 points and had three steals. Chris Chiles finished with 14 points and dished out three assists.

Jayden Johnston led the Owls with seven rebounds, while Aibigho Ujadughele added another six boards.

Citrus led wire-to-wire, building as much as a 15-point lead early in the second half after starting the frame on a 6-0 run. Foster sparked the spurt with two free throws and a layup before Tello banked in a shot to force Mt. SAC to take a timeout.

The Mounties tried to battle back in heading down the stretch and pulled within two possessions, 75-69, with just two minutes on the clock.

Citrus regrouped and got stops on defense while finishing some chances at the charity stripe to seal the 78-71 victory.  

The Owls host Long Beach City (No. 9 in the South) on Tuesday for their home opener, tipping off at 5 p.m. in the Owls' Nest.