Glendora, CA (Men’s Basketball) – After taking care of two straight Southern California ranked teams in as many days, the Citrus College men’s basketball team tried to make it three against #4 Chaffey. The Owl’s rallied late, but couldn’t finish the Panthers off losing 84-77.
In a game that had 8 ties and 8 lead changes, Chaffey led most of the 1st half jumping out to as much as a 7 point lead with 2 minutes to go in the half and a 6 point lead with 44 seconds left. With 26 seconds left in the half sophomore guard Shaughn Hull took the ball to the hoop scoring on a lay-up cutting the lead to 4.
On Chaffey’s next possession tournament MVP Jamar Berry went up for a shot but was stopped dead in his tracks as Deonta Black blocked the shot into the hands of Lester Cole. Sprinting the length of the court, Black got back to the basket just in time as Cole heaved a pass towards the basket. Black took the ball in mid air and jammed it home, giving the Fighting Owl’s the momentum cutting Chaffey’s lead to a 2 point 42-40 lead at the half.
In the second half, Citrus and Chaffey battled back and forth with 3 lead changes and 2 ties in the first four minutes of the second half. After a pair of Kevin McCaughey free-throws at the 16:09 mark the Owl’s would take over the lead until the 1:30 mark in the game.
With the Owl’s up by one and 1:38 left on the game clock, Panther’s guard Alwyn Jordan hit an off balance 3-pointer to push the Chaffey lead to 2 at 78-77. The Owl’s wouldn’t be able to score the rest of the way even though they had some opportunities to get back in the game.
The Owl’s had the ball with 1:14 left, and McCaughey at the free throw line for a 1 and 1 situation. McCaughey, who hit 11 of his 13 free throws for the game and has been the most consistent free throw shooter for the Owl’s, missed the first free throw and Chaffey recovered.
The Panthers’ Berry would hit his two free throws with 35 seconds left to push their lead to 5 points. On the next Owl’s possession Friesen took the ball towards the hoop, and got fouled with 27 seconds left. Friesen missed both free-throws, and Berry rebounded the miss putting the Owl’s away.
Buchi Awaji lead all Owl’s in scoring with 19 points. Friesen chipped in with 13 points, while McCaughey contributed 11. Chad Allan led all Owl’s in rebounding with 7, while Deonta Black displayed a solid all-around effort going 5 for 6 from the field for 10 points, and recording 5 rebounds and 4 blocks.
With the loss, the Owl’s fall to 6 and 4 on the season. The Owl’s will resume play later this week as they travel to Palomar on Wednesday to take on the Jaguars. Tip-off will be at 5:00 pm.