Men’s Basketball Sets Multiple Program Records in 147–85 Rout of Santa Monica

No. 4-ranked Citrus College men's basketball set multiple program records in a 147–85 conference win over Santa Monica College on Tuesday night at home.

The victory pushed the Owls to 17–1 overall and 4–0 in conference play, while the Corsairs fall to 4–14 overall and 1–3 in conference.

Citrus seized control early, building a 20-point lead midway through the first half before closing the period with a season-high 79 points. The Owls shot 28 of 43 from the field, including 9 of 15 from 3-point range, and went 14 of 21 from the free-throw line in the opening half while forcing 18 Santa Monica turnovers.

Leo Ricketts led the first-half surge, scoring 20 of his game-high 28 points before the break and knocking down 4 of 6 shots from beyond the arc.

The Owls maintained the pressure in the second half, forcing 16 additional turnovers and shooting 27 of 44 from the floor. Citrus added eight more 3-pointers and went 6 of 8 from the line after halftime.

Rockwell Reynolds scored a team-high 12 points in the second half as Citrus cruised to its largest margin of victory this season.

Citrus dominated the game statistically, scoring 147 points — the most in a regulation game in program history and the program's highest total since posting 133 points against Mt. San Jacinto on Nov. 25. The Owls also set program records with 44 assists and 29 steals. Citrus shot 63.2% (55 of 87) from the field compared to Santa Monica's 45.8% (33 of 72) and connected on 17 of 34 from 3-point range (50.0%). The Owls outscored the Corsairs 72–36 in the paint and forced 35 turnovers, converting them into 45 points, while committing just eight turnovers. Citrus held a 43–41 rebounding edge, scored 20 fastbreak points and led by as many as 65 points in the second half.

Citrus received contributions throughout the lineup in the record setting offensive performance. Leo Ricketts led all Owls' scorers with 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 6 of 8 from 3-point range. Mikal Sims added 20 points off the bench on 8-of-9 shooting and recorded three steals, while Rockwell Reynolds finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Dev Hamilton scored 17 points and added three steals. JJ Sanchez totaled seven points and handed out 14 assists, a career best, while also posting five steals and seven rebounds. Brady Orr finished with 12 points and three steals, Alek Sanchez added 11 points with five steals and two blocks, and Dylan Victorio scored 11 points with one steal. Grayson Boustead chipped in eight points and four steals, Jake Winkelman scored six points, Amiri Meadows had four points and three steals, Nathan Kwon added three points, and Aaron Holley scored two as Citrus placed 14 players in the scoring column.

The Owls will look to extend thier 12-game winning streak when they hosts Bakersfield College on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 5 p.m.