Turnovers Tip Game Out of Owls Favor

Rancho Cucamonga, CA -- The Citrus College Women's Basketball team committed a season high 32 turnovers and shot just 1 of 12 from 3-point range, as the Owls fell for the first time this season. Citrus got off to a strong start, but couldn't sustain it as they fell to State #9 Chaffey College 65-51 on Friday night.

The Owls started off the game on a 9-0 run and didn't allow a Chaffey field goal until over five minutes had passed in the contest. Citrus extended their lead to a game high 10 points with 13:55 to go when sophomore Ella Rodriguez hit a jumper to make it 13-3 Citrus. That's when the wheels came off for the Owls.

Citrus turned the ball over on their next three possessions, and Chaffey began to claw their way back into the contest. By the time the 8 minute mark rolled around the Panthers had tied up the contest and taken their first lead 16-14 with 8:05 left in the half.

The Owls would tie the game up twice more after that, but each time Chaffey responded. Citrus would get the Chaffey lead back down to one point after a pair of free throws from freshman Jaelyn Wilson with 30 seconds to go, but a fast break jumper from Chaffey with six seconds left put the Panthers up 27-24 at the half.

In the second half Chaffey quickly built their lead up to nine points. Citrus made another of stabs at a run, but each time the Panthers had an answer. The closest the Owls would get would be four points with over 13 minutes to play, and then five points with over seven minutes to go after a jumper from Olivia Montgomery in the paint. That would be the last time the Owls would score though, as the Panthers scored the final nine points of the contest, and Citrus fell by 14.

In the loss, Citrus had four players finish in double figures led by Wilson's 12 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Sarah Rebibo also had 12, while Rodriguez and Montgomery each had 11.

With the loss, Citrus falls to 3-1 on the year and the Owls are relegated to the Consolation Round. Citrus will take on Barstow College at 3:00 PM on Saturday to stay alive and play on Sunday.