Canyons Claws Out 110-106 Double OT Victory vs. Orange Coast

Four Cougars scored over 20 points as the College of the Canyons men's basketball team pulled out a thrilling 110-106 double overtime victory vs. Orange Coast College on day one of the 27th Annual Cougar Holiday Classic.

Canyons (6-10), which has already surpassed its win total from a season ago, has now won two of its last three contests heading into Thursday's scheduled matchup with Barstow College (5-8).

Barstow was able to pick up a convincing 103-77 victory over Los Angeles Trade Tech College (9-7) in the tournament's opening game on Wednesday, to set up Thursday's championship matchup. 

Orange Coast (6-8) will face LATTC at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

COC had five players produce double-digit point totals, including four of the team's starting five. As a team, Canyons shot 47.9 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from behind the arc.

Sophomores Alex Sanchez and Garrett Mike led the way with 25 points apiece. Sanchez also added a team-high 15 rebounds.

Mike was equally effective for the Cougars, adding eight offensive rebounds to finish the game with a total of 11. He also added four assists, two steals and provided a consistent defensive presence to emerge as one of the evening's key contributors.

Michael Kalu was next in line with 21 points after finishing the game 4-of-9 from three-point territory and coming away with eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

However, his biggest play of the game came at the end of regulation when the freshman sunk a buzzer beater near the foul line to ignite the crowd and tie that game at 86-86 to set up the first overtime period.

After another back-and-forth exchange, it was Sanchez who found an open lane and drove to the hoop for a tough basket that tied the game once again at 96-96 late in the extra period.

On the ensuing possession COC center Austin Greenly deflected and stole the inbound pass to deny the Pirates a final shot in the period, and set up the second overtime.

With 1:37 remaining in the game, COC guard Jacob Lilley buried a three-point shot that put the Cougars within a point at 106-105. After a critical Pirate turnover Mike scored on a layup to give Canyons a 107-106 lead, which would not be relinquished.

Free throws by Lilley and Jason Horosny sealed the game for Canyons and brought about the eventual 110-106 final score.

Lilley finished the game with 20 points and tied for the game high with seven assists.

Horosny added 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists off the bench to give the Cougars a big lift.

After Thursday's matchup with Barstow, the Cougars return to action vs. Ventura College on Thursday, Jan. 5. That game is scheduled to tip at 7 p.m. in the Cougar Cage.