Ave Drops 21 as Citrus Rolls Past COD for First Win, 75–55

Citrus College Women's Basketball picked up its first win of the season with a 75–55 road victory over College of the Desert on Wednesday, November 12.

With the win, the Owls move to 1–2 overall, while the Roadrunners drop to 2–3 on the year.

Citrus battled through a slow start, shooting just 1-for-15 from the field, 0-for-6 from three, and 4-for-4 from the line to trail 10–6 after the first quarter. The momentum quickly shifted in the second, led by freshman Jhavmine Ave, who poured in 11 points in the period. The Owls outscored Desert 26–13 in the quarter to take a 32–23 lead into halftime.

Citrus kept rolling in the third, matching its second-quarter output with another 26-point frame. Sophomore Maileeh Suasti and freshman Brianna Gomez paced the Owls with seven points each in the second half. The Owls then closed out the game by winning the fourth quarter 17–13 to lock in the 20-point road win.

Overall, Citrus shot 25-of-58 from the field, 7-of-22 from beyond the arc, and 18-of-25 at the free throw line. Despite committing 30 turnovers to COD's 20, the Owls controlled key statistical categories—winning the rebounding battle, scoring more fast-break points, points off turnovers, points in the paint, and bench points (22–11). Citrus held its largest lead of 25 late in the fourth quarter.

Ave led all scorers with 21 points, adding nine rebounds, four assists, a game-high four steals, and one block.
Lexie Navarro provided a huge spark off the bench, knocking down 4-of-5 threes for 15 points, along with two assists, one rebound and one steal.
Gomez added 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Suasti contributed nine points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block.
Paisley Woo finished with eight points, two assists, and a rebound, and Brianna Franco-Zapada chipped in seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block off the bench.

Citrus will travel to San Diego City College tomorrow, Friday, November 14, for a 5 p.m. tipoff.