Owls Close Out 2025 with Hard-Fought 65-60 Loss to Riverside City

Citrus College Women's Basketball suffered a tough 65–60 loss to Riverside City College on Tuesday night, December 30, at home. The Owls dropped to 3–10 overall in their final game before the New Year, while the Tigers improved to 6–10 on the season.

The contest opened as a tightly played battle, with Citrus holding a slim 12–9 advantage after the first quarter. The Owls found their rhythm in the second quarter, delivering their strongest stretch of the game by outscoring RCC 23–13. Citrus shot an efficient 9-of-19 from the field and knocked down four three-pointers to take a 35–22 lead into halftime.

Riverside City began to close the gap in the third quarter, outscoring Citrus 18–14 to cut the Owls' lead to 49–40 heading into the final period. The momentum shifted decisively in the fourth quarter, as the Tigers dominated the glass, outrebounding Citrus 17–4. That rebounding edge proved critical, allowing RCC to outscore the Owls 25–11 in the final quarter and complete the comeback for a 65–60 victory.

Despite Citrus holding a 17-point lead at its peak, Riverside City controlled key areas that swung the game late. The Tigers dominated the glass with a 72–44 rebounding advantage and capitalized on second chances, outscoring the Owls 21–9 in that category. RCC also owned the paint, scoring 40 points inside compared to Citrus' 14, while its bench provided a major spark with 45 points. Citrus knocked down seven three-pointers but struggled overall from the field, shooting 26.0 percent, as Riverside City used its physical play and depth to fuel a fourth-quarter comeback.

Citrus was led by Jhavmine Ave, who poured in a team-high 21 points while adding eight rebounds and four steals. Brianna Gomez chipped in 15 points, knocking down three three-pointers and recording four steals, while Setsianna Kraynak had five points, 10 rebounds, two steals and one assist. As a team, the Owls showed discipline with the ball, committing just five turnovers, but struggled with shooting consistency despite solid defensive activity on the perimeter.

Citrus will open the 2026 portion of its schedule on Saturday, January 3, when the Owls host Santa Ana College at 3 p.m.