Glendora, CA (Men’s Basketball) – Since earning a starting nod against Glendale College on January, sophomore guard Shaughn Hull has made the most of all his opportunities hitting big 3-pointers when it mattered, but mostly anchoring a solid defensive effort. It was his shot that came up big tonight, however, as a series of 3-pointers from Hull to end the 1st half helped pull the Fighting Owls out of a deficit and into the driver’s seat, where they would remain until the final buzzer sounded in their 64-54 win over Los Angeles Valley College Wednesday night.
The night started with 7 lead changes in the first 6 minutes of the contest. After Chad Allan tied the game up with a lay-up down low, freshman Richard Frohlich put the Fighting Owls up 2 with another lay-up. The Owls would lead by as much as 5 before the Monarchs came back to take a 2 point lead with 8:14 to play in the 1st half.
The Monarchs built their lead to 5, when at 5:37 Hull hit one of his three, 3-pointers to cut the lead to 2. The Monarchs Gustavo Valle answered with a 3 of his own, but the Owls turned the intensity up on the glass and scored on two consecutive possessions to cut the lead to 1. Citrus would finally regain the lead when Phil Friesen grabbed an offensive board, then dished the ball to Chad Allan who found an open Hull who proceeded to bury another trey, giving Citrus a two-point lead.
The very next possession Hull would hit another 3, this time off a Kevin McCaughey assist, giving the Owls a 5 point lead going into half-time. When all was said in done in the 1st half Hull was 4 of 6 from 3-point land for a season high 12 points.
In the 2nd half the Owls would lead the entire way through. The Monarchs would draw even at 43, but Citrus didn’t panic and used a couple of trips to the charity stripe to build their lead back up. Valley would threaten once more as they came within 2, but once again the Owls answered this time with Allan converting a lay-up on a Deonta Black assist.
The Owls would dominate inside, outscoring the Monarchs 20-10 in the paint, as they went on to shoot 37.1% from the floor and 33.3% from beyond the 3-point arc. The one place the Owls really struggled was at the free-throw line where they finished 8 of 14 for 57.1% shooting.
Hull finished the game with another trey in the 2nd half, and a season high 16 points and 5 boards. Phil Friesen finished the game with a game high 19 points and a team high 10 boards. Chad Allan also grabbed 10 boards and helped out with 6 points.
With the win the Fighting Owls improve to 17-11 overall and 4-4 in WSC South play. Citrus’ conference schedule continues on Saturday as they head out to Valencia, CA to take on College of the Canyons who is currently undefeated in conference play. The Owls fell at home earlier in the season to the Cougars 70-78. Tip-off is at 5:30 pm.