Citrus Falls Short of Title, Loses to City College of San Francisco 83-81

VENTURA – The last time Citrus College played against City College of San Francisco was for the 1962 state title, which CCSF won 71-56.  Sunday afternoon, it was dejavu, as once again Citrus would face CCSF in the title game, and once again they would fall short of winning the title.

 The Owls advanced with a 94-84 victory over Fresno City College Saturday night.  Citrus, who was eliminated by last year’s eventual champions Saddleback College, would not get a chance to exact revenge as CCSF defeated the Gauchos in the other semi-final matchup 65-60. 

DeEnd Parker’s rebound and put back with 2.5 seconds remaining in the game was the difference as San Francisco escaped with the 83-81 victory. 

”We defended the last shot well,” Citrus coach Chris Victor said.  “We just couldn’t get the rebound. We were outrebounded and that is what hurt us.”

 Citrus had a chance to score the go-ahead basket after Jacob Ranger stole the ball with 53 seconds remaining in the game. However, Citrus was not able to convert as Fred Sturdivant would block DJ Shelton’s shot attempt.

Lateef McMullan had 23 points, 14 of which he scored in the second half. His 3-pointer with 6:00 remining in the game help Citrus regain the lead 73-30. Donte Archie had 13 points, while Donnel Phifer tallied nine points, six assists and five rebounds.  Jacob Ranger, Garrett Jefferson, and Greg McFarland all scored six points for Citrus.

“Lateef has been hitting big shots for us all year,” Victor said

 “Everybody hits big shots. Everybody makes big plays.” McMullan added.  “If someone could not make a shot or play someone else will step up.  We all have each other’s back.”

Sturdivant’s double-double (24 points, 12 rebounds) led four Rams in double figures. Collin Chiverton had 17 points, while Jonathon Williams had 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Parker tallied 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Archie’s three point play at 1:47 remaining in the game regained the lead 81-79 for Citrus, but it would be short-lived as Daryl Cooper would respond with two free throws to tie the game at 81-81. After Sturdivant’s block, Williams would go for a layup attempt that would set up Parker’s heroics. 

“We had good looks at the end (of the game)” Citrus coach Chris Victor said. “We just couldn’t get them to fall.  We continued to play hard throughout the game.”

Citrus finishes the season 26-6.

CCCAA STATE FINAL ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

MVP – Fred Sturdivant –CCSF,  DeEnd Parker – CCSF,  Lateef McMullan-Citrus College,  Donnel Phifer – Citrus College,  Quentin Watkins – Fresno City College,  Wendall Faines – Saddleback College

Box Score

Citrus College (81) – Lateef McMullan -23, Donte Archie -13, Donnel Phifer -9, Brandon Parga -8, Jacob Ranger -6, Garrett Jefferson -6, Greg McFarland -6,  DJ Shelton -5, Hakeem Washington  -5

City College of San Francisco (83) – Fred Sturdivant -24, Collin Chiverton -17, Jonathon Williams -13, DeEnd Parker -10, Daryl Cooper -8, Myron Respress -4, Yoan Zola  -4,  Ivan Dorsey  -3