Glendora, CA -After leaving everything on table in an opening-round victory over defending state champion Fresno on Thursday night, the Citrus College Owls went 1-1 to take third place in the LA Southwest tournament.
In a strange rebound game on Friday, Citrus and Orange Coast combined for fewer points than the Owls had alone the night before in a 57-54 win for the Pirates. Neither team approached the 40% mark for shooting and Orange Coast hit just 23% of their shots in the second half, but hung on for the slim margin of victory.
James Reynolds scored 15 and Tron Smith added 13 points, although they combined to shoot just ten-for-28 in the game. Daniel Fleming managed just two points, but benefited from the night’s poor shooting with 16 rebounds.
Citrus then advanced to face the host school in the third-place game and defeated LA Southwest 72-70. This time around the Owls shot 47% and were led by a double-double from Fleming, who finished with 19 points and ten rebounds. Smith added 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
The Owls (9-6), who are currently ranked 13th in Southern California, will be back in action on Saturday night when they play host to Palomar College. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm