Glendora, Calif. – The Mt. SAC Men's Basketball Team knew they were in for a tough start to the season — and it lived up to expectations — as the Mounties dropped their opener 88–78 against Citrus College on Friday, October 31. The Owls, who advanced to the Final Four last season, showed why they remain one of the state's powerhouse programs. Still, the Mounties put up a strong fight despite missing one of their top players, Jaidyn Simpson, who continues to recover from injury.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Mounties opened strong with Ryan Wheeler making the first basket of the game, but Citrus found rhythm from beyond the arc to build a lead midway through the period. Mt. SAC struggled with turnovers early but found their groove late in the half behind key scoring runs led by Gates, who powered inside for multiple buckets, and Osami Maciel, who provided a huge spark off the bench with several clutch shots—including a late three-pointer that tied the game at 41 before Citrus edged back ahead in the final seconds. Despite facing hot shooting from Citrus's Rockwell Reynolds and Dylan Victorio, the Mounties showed resilience on both ends, highlighted by Wheeler's rebounding and defensive presence. The team battled through a fast-paced first half narrowly trailing the Owls 43-41.

Citrus opened the second half with a flurry of scoring, hitting key three-pointers from Dylan Victorio and Rockwell Reynolds to quickly extend their lead. Mt. SAC's Dayvon Gates responded with back-to-back layups to keep the Mounties within striking distance, while Jeremy Williams added timely baskets. Despite their effort, Citrus continued to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and hot perimeter shooting, with Reynolds and Dev Hamilton combining to push the Owls ahead by double digits midway through the half.

The Mounties showed resilience late in the game, mounting a late rally behind strong interior play from Gates and clutch shooting from Omari Abdallah, who drained back-to-back threes to cut the deficit to single digits. Ethan Nelson and Osami Maciel added energy off the bench with key rebounds and defensive stops, but Citrus's balanced scoring attack and rebounding edge proved too much down the stretch.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Dayvon Gates (Mt. SAC): Team-high 24 points, 7 rebounds 3 assists
• Omari Abdallah (Mt. SAC): 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 block, 6-for-6 from the free-throw line
• Rockwell Reynolds (Citrus): Game-high 30 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4-of-6 from three-point range
• Leo Ricketts (Citrus): 17 points, 6 assists

NEXT UP:

The Mounties will look for their first win of the season when they host the Gene Victor Memorial Tournament, beginning Thursday, November 6. Mt. SAC opens the tournament with a matchup against Grossmont College at 7:00 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED:

Follow Mt. SAC Men's Basketball on twitter @MtSAC_MBKB or Instagram /mt.sacbasketball/

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.