Strong Second Half Helps Cougars Defeat Mt. San Jacinto In Playoff Action

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The No. 7 College of the Canyons women's basketball team outscored No. 10 Mt. San Jacinto 15-6 down the stretch to help elevate Canyons over Mt. San Jacinto 88-73 in the second-round game of the California Community College Athletic Association Women's Basketball Regional Playoffs. The Cougars will now travel to No. 2 San Bernardino Valley (26-2) for the third round of the playoffs.

The game stayed close throughout the first half and most of the second. It wasn't until about the halfway mark of the second half that the Cougars made their move. After five ties and numerous lead changes, the Cougars had three consecutive defensive stops and increased their two point, 52-50, lead at the 13:56 mark to 10 points, 62-52, with 9:40 left in the game. After that it was all Cougars as the Eagles would get as close as six, but never was able to handle the COC run.

Sophomore Dominique Turner finished as the leading scorer for Canyons with 21 points, nine of which were earned from the free throw line, to go along with her seven assists. Jazzmyn Davis collected the 13th double-double of her career with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Reserve Beverly Weaver  also finished the game with a career high 19 points for Canyons. Kalana Inemer was solid on the boards for COC pulling down six rebounds, including four on the offensive end.

For the game, Canyons shot 42.4 percent from the floor and racked up 38 rebounds. Mt. San Jacinto connected on 42.9 percent of its shots and managed to grab 36 rebounds.

The Cougars will now travel to San Bernardino Valley College on Wednesday, March 2, a team they met with in the second game of the year and lost to 80-76. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.