Owls Tip Off New Year in Dominant Fashion

No. 28-ranked Citrus College got the new year started with a dominant 115-85 victory over No. 15-ranked Moorpark College Tuesday afternoon. It was the most points the Owls have scored this year and the second-most since records were kept – Citrus scored 116 points in a 116-113 overtime win over Fresno City College in 2005. 

The Owls improve to 9-4 on the year, while the Raiders slip to 10-5 overall.

Six Owls finished the game in double figures, with Brandon Suber (9-for-14) and JJ Mitchell (9-for-14) coming up big with 19 points off the bench each. Tyrel Creger chipped in 14 points (6-for-8), followed by Rudy Suarez (4-for-4), who didn't miss a single shot and finished with 12 points. Xerian Anderson added 11 points (4-for-8) and Malik Khouzam rounded out the scorers in double digits with 10 points (4-for-9).

EJ Bryson dished out 11 assists – just one shy of tying the single-game record for the Owls.

Citrus also won the glass 39-to-37 with Mitchell grabbing seven boards and Bryson collecting six rebounds.

The Owls came out firing on all cylinders and shot 53.3 percent from the floor in the first half to help them build a commanding 60-32 lead at halftime.

Despite Moorpark trying to battle back in the second half, Citrus didn't cool down from there and shot a staggering 69.7 percent from the floor to hold onto the 30-point victory.

The Owls look to carry momentum into another ranked matchup on Friday as Citrus hosts No. 16-ranked Moorpark College at 3 p.m. in the Owls' Nest.