Glendora, CA - The Citrus College men’s basketball team defeated Fresno College in the opening round of the L.A. Southwest Tournament on Thursday night in double-overtime, 116-113 in what proved to be one of the most important and exciting games in Fighting Owl history.
First year head coach Rick Croy has set in motion a reversal of history as the Owls are attempting to make a strong showing during the Western State Conference season and qualify for the post season for the first time. Early season struggles put those thoughts in doubt, but a three game winning streak and an 8-5 record sets the tone for a strong run.
Citrus trailed at halftime 59-49 in a wildly offensive game as they shot 51.5% from the field. Fresno, in turn, shot 55% to hold the ten-point advantage. The Owls continued to shoot well in the second half, hitting 17-of-32 shots as they fought back to take the lead. Late in the second half, with just seven seconds to play, Tron Smith was fouled with the Owls holding a two-point lead, 92-90. He connected on his first free-throw, but missed the second and a Fresno post player pulled up and drained a three-pointer to tie the contest as the buzzer sounded.
Smith, who scored 39 points (16-for-27) and led the game with nine rebounds and four steals, fouled out just one minute into the first overtime, but the team responded, shooting 73% in the extra periods, pulling away with an 11-8 advantage in the second overtime.
Behind Smith’s strong effort, Citrus (8-5) got 22 points from James Reynolds, who added a team-high three blocks. Phil Friesen and Daniel Fleming added 17 points apiece with Fleming also grabbing a game-high nine rebounds.
Fresno (9-4), who went undefeated last season en route to a California State Championship, were led by 29 points from Keena Payton and 24 from Tyson Parker, who also grabbed a game-high eight assists. Fresno was ranked sixth in Northern California and eleventh in the state coming in.
Citrus advances to the semi-finals of the LASC Tournament where they will face Orange Coast College. Tip-off is scheduled for Friday night at 6:00 pm.