Cougars Close Out 'Holiday Classic' with 88-81 Loss to Ohlone

Cougars Close Out 'Holiday Classic' with 88-81 Loss to Ohlone

College of the Canyons closed out the 28th Annual Cougar Holiday Classic with an 88-81 loss to Ohlone College in the tournament's third-place game on Friday.

Canyons (6-10) was led by Michael Kalu who scored 24 points and earned all-tournament honors. Frankie Campbell scored 12 and Jacob Lilley chipped in eight points and 11 assists.

Richard Oryem and Cameron Bradley led Ohlone College with 29 and 23 points, respectively, with each hitting five three-pointers.

The visiting Renegades (10-7) jumped out to a quick 22-9 lead, with Oryem pouring in 16 early points. The Cougars rallied as Robert Moss hit back-to-back threes to close the lead to 28-23.

The Cougars shrunk the lead to three late in the first half, but Kai Winterling hit a deep shot just before the halftime horn to give the guests a 39-33 lead heading into intermission.

The Renegades started the second half strong with Bradley hitting back-to-back threes to quickly swell the lead back to 12. 

The closest the Cougars would get was 84-79 late in the game with two Lilley free throws. But Oryem hit two free throws of his own to seal the victory.

Later in the day, Orange Coast College beat L.A. Trade Tech by a 93-73 score in the tourney's championship game. Tournament MVP Joshua Davis filled up the stat sheet with 33 points and 15 rebounds in the final contest.

Joining Davis on the All-Tournament team were Kupaa Harrison (Orange Coast), Rayshawn Bulger (L.A. Trade Tech), Richard Oryem (Ohlone) and Kalu (Canyons). 

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

— Brandon Johnson/COC Sports Information

—Photo credit Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information