Glendora, CA (Men’s Basketball) -- Throughout this 2008-2009 season, there is no doubt that sophomore guard Justin Johnson has been one of the best players in Southern California and even the State.
Johnson proved that again tonight, as he was just too good against Bakersfield College scoring a season and game high 26 points and grabbing a season and game high 14 rebounds in Citrus’ (ranked #2 in the State) 80-73 win over #10 Bakersfield College on Wednesday night.
Johnson and company wasted little time in making a statement against a tough Renegade squad, as Johnson scored 7 of Citrus’ first 8 points, helping the Fighting Owls jump out to an early 8-4 lead.
Bakersfield would respond with a tip-in by Jamar Harrison, but the Fighting Owls just bit back with 10 straight points, to take a commanding 18-6 lead after a fast-break lay-up by Stephen Bennett.
Bakersfield would finally stop the bleeding, but Citrus was able to keep the Renegades at a distance throughout the first half leading by as much as 17 points before settling in for a 16 point lead at the half.
In the first half alone, Johnson scored 14 points and ripped down 7 boards, as Citrus shot a blistering 65.4% from the field, all while holding Bakersfield to 19.5% shooting.
While Citrus started the game off hot, it would be Bakersfield who would open up the second half in impressive fashion. After a pair of Bennett free-throws and a jumper by Johnson kept the Citrus lead at 15, Bakersfield went on a 13-0 run capped off by a trey from by Ricky Wofford that cut the Citrus lead to two points at 45-43 with 15:15 to go.
Citrus finally fought back after the 3-pointer, getting a jumper in the paint from Johnson and four straight points from Bennett to push their lead back to 7-points. The Fighting Owls would continue to build upon their lead, growing it to as large as 13-points after a Jose Rivera 3-pointer made the score 70-57 with just over six minutes to go.
Despite a seemingly comfortable lead, Bakersfield made one more charge. Over five minutes, the Renegades out-scored Citrus 14-4, to draw within 3 points after Bakersfield’s Darrin Dorsey hit the front-end of a pair of free-throws to make the score 74-71 with 1:04 left on the clock.
The Fighting Owls didn’t panic, as they held Bakersfield to 1 of 7 shooting over the final minute, while they themselves went 6 for 8 from the charity stripe to seal the 7 point victory.
Along with Johnson, Bennett would lead Citrus with 17 points and a game high 5 assists. Sophomore Troy Payne would also have a solid effort despite scoring just four points, Payne grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, blocked 3 shots, and recorded a steal in the win.
With the win, Citrus improves to 21-4 overall and 5-1 in Western State Conference play, while Bakersfield falls to 19-7 overall and 4-2 in conference games. The win, also puts Citrus alone at the top of the WSC South standings.
The Fighting Owls will begin the second half of conference play on Saturday, when they play host to Canyons College. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM.
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