Los Angeles, CA (Men’s Basketball) -- The Citrus College Men’s Basketball team (ranked #3 in the State) held off a late LA Trade Tech run to pick up their 14th win of the season on Saturday night. The Owls overcame foul trouble, and just 38.9% shooting from the floor to pick up an 86-79 victory over the Beavers (ranked #14 in the South).
After the game started out close, Citrus used a 16-3 run started by a pair of Jose Rivera 3-pointers to take a 29-19 lead midway through. The Fighting Owls would push the lead to as much as 13, before settling in for an 11-point 44-33 advantage at the break.
In the second half, Citrus came out strong pushing their lead to 18 points, but foul trouble began to saddle the Owls as Trade Tech made its late surge. Citrus’ led was cut to a lone point with 2:47 left, but clutch free-throws by DeAndre Haskins, Randy Hunter, and Derrick Rodger along with great defensive plays on a late steal by Cameron Nettles and a late block by Haskins would help seal the deal for Citrus.
Sophomore Randy Hunter would lead all scorers with 23 points (on 9 of 12 shooting from the floor) and 11 rebounds, while Keith Thompson added 20 points. With the win, Citrus improved to 14-2 overall, while Trade Tech fell to 7-5.
With the conclusion of Saturday’s game comes the end of the non-conference season. Citrus will kick off its Western State Conference South Division slate on Wednesday when it travels North to take on Bakersfield College (14-2) in an important early season confrontation. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.
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