Women's Basketball Opens 2018-19 Season at Mt. SAC Tip-Off

The 2018-19 season is underway for Citrus Women's Basketball. The Owls spent last weekend competing in the Mt. San Antonio Tip-Off Classic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Citrus would eventually battle Saddleback in the consolation final, coming up with the win 69-62 and exiting the building with some hardware to adorn the Citrus Athletics Offices. Sophomore Forward Keely Wall earned All-Tournament Honors in the effort. 

Friday vs San Bernardino

The Owls started off the weekend with a solid win over San Bernardino Valley, 72-64. Citrus immediately went to work playing solid team basketball, with 4 players scoring in double digits. Of the 26 field goals made by the Owls, 17 were assisted, a testament to the coaching philosophy of 3rd year Head Coach Linnae Barber Matthews. 

Returner Diana Navarro led Citrus in scoring, sinking 21 points on 6 for 8 shooting and 3 three pointers. Kyannie Brown scored 16 points and was a nightmare for San Bernardino in the paint, scooping up 13 rebounds, snagging 3 steals and blocking 4 shots. Keely Wall scored 15 and snagged a game best 19 rebounds to lead all players. Guard Kameron Seto rounded out the double digit scorers with 13, narrowly missing a double double with 9 assists. 

Saturday vs Rio Hondo 

The Owls were back on the hardwood just 24 hours later in the semifinals, matched up against Rio Hondo. Citrus struggled to ignite in the 1st quarter, trailing behind 11-22 going into the 2nd. The Owls would keep it close for the next 3 quarters, but it wasn't enough to escape the first quarter deficit, and subsequently dropped the game 60-53. 

Kyannie Brown led the Owls in scoring with 14, followed by Keely Wall with 12 and Diana Navarro with 11. Brown and Wall both completed a double double with 13 and 14 rebounds, respectively, and Brown once again blocked 4 shots. 

Sunday vs Saddleback

Citrus was back in the Mt. SAC gym Sunday for the consolation final vs Saddleback. The Owls played the Gauchos tough, establishing leads throughout the first half and going into halftime up 34-31. Out of the gates and into the 2nd half, Citrus built on its lead and never looked back, topping Saddleback 69-62 and securing the consolation title. 

Kyannie Brown led all scorers with an impressive 27 points, snagged 17 rebounds, blocked 2 shots and stole the ball twice. Brown's double double was the 2nd of the young 2018 season for the Sophomore. Keely Wall also posted a double double en route to winning all tournament honors. Wall sank 12 points, grabbed a game high 20 rebounds and tallied 3 assists and 4 steals. Diana Navarro dropped a cool 20 points and Kameron Seto contributed 7 assists. 

The Owls moved to 2-1 on the season. Citrus is on the floor again this weekend at the Pasadena City Round robin. 

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