Women’s Basketball: Second Quarter Sinks Owls Against Gades

Glendora, CA - The Citrus College Women's Basketball team continued their 2020 WSC South schedule one Wednesday evening, with a home contest against visiting Bakersfield College. Despite their best efforts, a tough second quarter that saw them get outscored eight, sunk their victory hopes in a 52-65 loss. 

The two schools traded blows and buckets in the opening frame. Citrus held an early 5-4 lead, after freshman Julie Garcia Man grabbed an offensive board off her own missed shot and then put the ball back up and in. The Renegades would answer on their next possession to jump back out in front, and eventually push their lead to as much as six points with just over three minutes left in the first quarter. The Owls didn't go down quietly as they scored five of the final six points, getting a three by sophomore Jailene Rosas and a pair of free-throws by sophomore Malia (Rocha) Ili to head into the quick break down 14-16. 

Garcia Man would briefly tie the game back up at 16-all with a layup on Citrus' opening possession of the second quarter, but Bakersfield would once again jump back out in front after a triple on their next trip down the floor. While there wouldn't be a huge run by the Renegades after that, they simply just began to find separation between themselves and the Owls. By the time halftime rolled around, Citrus trailed by 10. 

In the third, Citrus would make their biggest run at Bakersfield as they opened things with a 10-4 burst. After a three by freshman Samantha Villa and a layup by Ili, the Owls found themselves down by just four with 5:33 left in the period. Unfortunately, Citrus never got it any closer as they were outscored down the stretch. 

Ili would once again lead the Owls scored a game high 19 points, going 9-of-10 from the charity stripe, while handing out eight assists, pulling in eight rebounds, and notching three steals. Rosas would finish with 12 points, while Villa matched her season high eight points. Garcia Man would record her third double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 16 rebounds.

Citrus will be back on the road this coming weekend as they travel to West Los Angeles College. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM on Saturday.