Glendora, CA (Men’s Basketball) – Through their first five games of the season the Fighting Owls men’s basketball team was averaging over 105 points per game and only once had been held under 100 points, when they scored 95 in the championship game of the Knight’s Invitational last week. Tonight marked the second time they were held under 100, as they scored 88 points and turned the ball over a season high 26 times in their 88-59 victory over Victor Valley in the first round of the Neil Edwards Classic early Friday afternoon.
While they lead wire to wire, the Owls were given a hard time by the 3-4 Rams. After Citrus jumped out to an early 7-point lead, Victor Valley would battle back to pull within two after the Rams’ Tim Sanders nailed a trey. The Owls would have an answer however, as Virgil Buensuceso fired back with one of his three, 3-pointer’s on the night.
With a five point lead back in their hands, the Owls would continue to try and pull away taking an 11-point lead after back to back free-throws by Ralph Monday. The Ram’s would score the next five points to pull within six, but that would be as close as it would get as the Owls would finish the first half off with an 8-4 run to take a 10 point 37-27 lead into the half.
After shooting a reasonable 46.2% from the field in the first half, Citrus would light the nets on fire in the second as they shot 65.4% from the field. The Owls opened up the second half with a 14-4 run to pull out to a 20-point lead. From there on out, Citrus’ lead would never fall below 16 points as they cruised to an 88-59 win.
Buensuceso, who was 7 of 10 from the field, came off the bench to score a game high 19 points. Sophomore center Richard Frohlich also contributed with a solid performance as he scored 11 points and a team and game high 8 boards.
With the win the Fighting Owls improve to 6-0 in the young season. Citrus will continue to play host this weekend as they face East LA College in the second round of the Neil Edwards Classic tomorrow evening. The Huskies knocked off San Diego City this evening 85-76 to earn the right to play the Owls. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM in the Owl’s Nest.
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