Lady Cougars Post 2-1 Mark at ELAC Okawa Classic

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

MONTEREY PARK — College of the Canyons posted a 2-1 record during three days of action at the East Los Angeles College Okawa Classic held Dec. 28-30. 

The Cougars lost the tourney opener 73-48 vs. No. 3 state ranked Orange Coast College (16-0) on Wednesday, then bounced back for a 63-53 win vs. tourney host ELAC on day two. COC's tournament ended with a 62-50 loss vs. No. 9 Moorpark College on day three. 

In the contest vs. Orange Coast, Monique Febles and Hannah Tolentino both finished with 15 points in the loss as the Cougars combined to shoot just over 30 percent for the game. LuLu Salloom pulled down 13 rebounds to lead all players. 

Orange Coast (14-0) managed to take a 40-22 lead into halftime behind four starters that reached double-digit point totals. The Pirates then closed things out with a 15-7 fourth quarter advantage.

Top Performers vs. Orange Coast — L-73-48

• Monique Febles — 39 mins, 15 pts, 8 rebs, 2 assists, steal, block
• LuLu Salloom — 35 mins, 7 pts, 13 rebs, 3 assists, steal, block
• Hannah Tolentino — 31 mins, 15 pts, 4 rebs, assist, 7-of-13 shooting

On day two, Febles and Salloom helped the Cougars bounce back with a 63-53 win over host East L.A. to snap a three-game losing streak.

Febles tied for the game high with 20 points and added nine rebounds to help lead the Cougars. Saloom finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds, with eight points coming in the final quarter.

Canyons combined to shoot better than 34 percent for the game while limiting East L.A. (3-13) to a mark just under 30 percent. COC lost the rebounding battle 61-47 and went just 3-of-16 from the three-point line.

Natalie Satamian scored 10 points and April Tuason added seven points to help the Cougars to victory.

Top Performers vs. East L.A.— W-63-53

• Monique Febles — 39 mins, 20 pts, 9 rebs, 3 assists, 2 steals, block
• LuLu Salloom — 35 mins, 18 pts, 17 rebs, assist, steal, 2 blocks, 7-of-16 shooting
• Natalie Satamian — 37 mins, 10 pts, 3 rebs, 2 assists
• April Tuason — 33 mins, 7 pts, 4 rebs, 4 assists, steal

Canyons battled No. 9 Moorpark College throughout their day-three tourney matchup before eventually falling by a 62-50 final score.

The Cougars trailed by just three points at halftime before the Raiders (11-5) were able to pull away in the fourth quarter.

Neither side shot the ball particularly well with Moorpark combining for a 37.7 percent from the field compared to a mark of 32.8 percent from Canyons. The Raiders won the rebounding battle by a 44-33 margin despite Saloom leading all players with 14.

Saloom also led all players with 16 points. April Tuason ended with 11 points for the Cougars and Febles had nine. Sabrina Belquist led Moorpark with 15 points.

Top Performers vs. Moorpark — L-62-50

• Monique Febles — 30 mins, 9 pts, 5 rebs, assist, 2 steals
• LuLu Salloom — 37 mins, 16 pts, 14 rebs, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks
• April Tuason — 40 mins, 11 pts, 2 rebs, assist

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons will begin play vs. Western State Conference (WSC), South Division opponents on Wednesday, Jan. 4, when the Cougars host L.A. Valley College for a 7 p.m. tip off.

The conference schedule continues Saturday with a road trip to Bakersfield College at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7.

All COC home games will be live streamed to fans free of charge via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network.

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.