Owls Close Non-Conference Play with OT Win at Sequoias

No. 6-ranked Citrus College Men's Basketball closed out non-conference play with a statement road victory, defeating No. 20 College of the Sequoias 82–78 in overtime on Friday, January 2.

With the win, the Owls improve to 13–1 overall, while the Giants fall to 9–5 on the season. The matchup marked Citrus' final non-conference contest before opening Western State Conference-South play.

The Owls and Giants battled throughout a tightly contested game, with College of the Sequoias holding a slim 35–33 lead at halftime. The second half mirrored the first, as neither team was able to create separation. Citrus rallied late to tie the game at 66–66 at the end of regulation, forcing overtime.

Overtime became a test of toughness and execution. After falling behind by six points, Citrus turned up its defensive pressure and responded with timely stops and clutch shooting. A late Giants turnover proved costly, as Dev Hamilton knocked down a go-ahead jumper, and the Owls' defense came through with a final stop to secure the four-point victory.

Citrus shot 32-of-68 (47.1%) from the field but endured season-low marks from both three-point range (4-of-23, 17.4%) and the free-throw line (14-of-31, 45.2%). The Giants held advantages in rebounding (57–26) and assists (21–13), but the Owls' defensive intensity proved decisive, forcing 33 turnovers.

Hamilton delivered a dominant performance off the bench, pouring in a career-high 33 points on 13-of-20 shooting while adding nine rebounds and three steals. His relentless attacking style and ability to finish through contact kept Citrus within striking distance and fueled the overtime comeback.

JJ Sanchez added 15 points, including three three-pointers, while Amiri Meadows contributed 11 points, three assists, and three steals. Leo Ricketts filled the stat sheet with five rebounds, five assists, and three steals while logging 39 minutes.

Defensively, the Owls were disruptive throughout, with Meadows, Ricketts, Hamilton, and Alek Sanchez combining for multiple steals in the passing lanes.

Citrus opens Western State Conference-South play on the road at LA Valley College on Wednesday, January 7 at 5 p.m., as the Owls begin their pursuit of a fourth consecutive conference title.