Citrus Cruises to Sixth-Straight Victory

After some back-and-forth action early on, No. 10-ranked Citrus College built a double-digit lead late in the first half and never looked back en route to a 79-62 victory over San Diego City College to close out the Fullerton Classic.

Citrus forced 21 turnovers, resulting in 24 points in the victory as the Owls grabbed their sixth win in a row, improving to 9-2 on the year, while the Knights drop to 8-3 overall.

Four Owls finished in double figures with another right on the cusp. Aibigho Ujadughele led Citrus with 18 points (5-for-8), while Chris Chiles chipped in 16 points (7-for-13) and was one board shy of a double-double. Anthony Tello and Jayden Johnston each posted 13 points for the Owls, while Rudy Suarez finished with nine points.

With just about eight-and-a-half minutes to go before halftime, Tello found Chiles under the basket to put the Owls in front by double digits, 22-12.

The Knights tried to keep within reach and cut the lead to single digits at halftime, 36-28, but the Owls came out fired up in the second half.

Citrus opened the second frame on a 6-0 run to build back its cushion. The Owls looked like they might break into 20-point margin territory with two-and-a-half minutes to play after Ujadughele stole the ball away and laid in the fastbreak to put Citrus up 77-58.

San Diego City called a timeout, but the damage was done as the Owls closed out the 79-62 victory.

Citrus heads back on the road next week, taking on West Hills Lemoore on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. tip.