Women’s Basketball: Defense Paces Owls to First Win in New Year

Glendora, CA - The Citrus College Women's Basketball team started the new year off right with a 46-35 win over visiting Compton College on Friday night. The Owls did it with their defense, holding the visiting Tartars to 18.3% shooting from the floor, in the Citrus victory.

The evening's contest got off to an inauspicious start as the two teams traded opening salvos
In the early going. Leading 10-9, the Owls would get a late burst getting baskets from sophomore Kaylene Brown, freshman Dy'Mond Mitchell, and sophomore Malia Rocha in the final 1:50 of the first quarter to take a 16-9 advantage into the second. 

In the second quarter, the two teams would exchange baskets, but the Owls were able to add to their lead thanks to a late surge that put them up 28-18 after a last second lay-in by sophomore Jailene Rosas in the closing seconds of the half. The third quarter would see more fireworks exchanged, but ultimately the Owls extended their lead 38-26 with a pair of late Rocha free-throws sealing the lead.

In the final frame, the Tartars would twice get the Citrus lead back down to 10 points, but each time the Owls has an answer in the form of a Rocha layup and two more free-throws from the sophomore. In the end, it was more then enough to secure the Citrus win.

Rocha would lead all scorers with 21 points, adding 11 boards, four assist and three steals for good measure. Freshman Julie Garcia Man would chip in on the glass, reeking in a team high 16 rebounds. 

With the win, the Owls (3-11) finish out their 2019-2020 pre-conference schedule. Citrus will start their tough 2020 WSC South skate on Wednesday when they host LA Valley at 5PM.