27th Annual Cougar Holiday Classic Runs Dec. 28-29

The 27th Annual Cougar Holiday Classic is set to get underway, with the College of the Canyons men's basketball program hosting the two-day tournament Dec. 28-29 in the Cougar Cage.

Action begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday, when Los Angeles Trade Tech College (9-6) takes the floor vs. Barstow College (4-8) in the opener.

Orange Coast College (6-7) will then tip off vs. Canyons (5-10) at approximately 3 p.m. 

Day two will see the two losing programs square off at 1 p.m., followed by the championship game at 3 p.m. 

Last season, the Cougars closed out LATTC 66-61 in its first game before falling 74-56 to OCC in the championship round. Despite that loss, sophomore Victor Nwaba and freshman Alex Sanchez both earned All-Tournament Team honors. 

The Cougars enter this year's tourney looking to get back in the win column after finishing 1-3 at the annual Bill Brummel Classic hosted by Saddleback College earlier this month.

COC was defeated by the host Gauchos on day one of that tournament, before rebounding to get past Long Beach City College 72-57 the following night. Canyons concluded the three-day event with an 80-71 loss to San Diego City College.

This week's tourney represents the program's final contests in 2016, with COC next returning to action vs. Ventura College on Thursday, Jan. 5. Conference play for the Cougars begins on Saturday, Jan. 21, vs. L.A. Pierce.

Daily admission to the 27th Annual Cougar Holiday Classic is $5, with COC students/staff and children under 10 admitted free. Admission is valid for both games.

—Jesse Munoz/COC Sports Information.