Canyons Comes Up Short in 72-65 Loss to Bakersfield
By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director
College of the Canyons sophomore Jonah El-Farra finished with 21 points while two other Cougars reached double figures, but it wasn't enough to get past visiting Bakersfield College who emerged with a 72-65 conference win on Saturday.
Canyons (7-9, 0-2) has started the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division schedule with a tough two-game skid after having won four of its last five contests prior to conference play. COC has now played to a 5-4 record on Lee Smelser Court at the Cougar Cage.
El-Farra led the way, adding eight rebounds, a block and assist, and continues to pace the Cougars by averaging 14.8 points per night across the first 16 games. Joshua Barnett finished with 11 and Jacob Gonzalez was next with 10. Barnett's seven rebounds were second on the squad.
COC starters Raz Orbach and Mason Savery each scored eight points. Savery also pulled down six boards.
Bakersfield (10-5, 1-1) has played to a 6-2 record through its last eight games. Saturday's bounce back victory vs. Canyons came after the Renegades fell to Citrus College in the conference opener. Terrin Dickey led all scorers with 30 points, including 17 down the stretch.
Dickey's 11-of-16 shooting performance helped Bakersfield to a 46 percent mark from the floor. The Renegades also outrebounded COC by a 44-29 margin. By comparison, Canyons combined to shoot just better than 36 percent for the night.
Canyons took advantage of six second-half Bakersfield turnovers to make things close in the final minutes but were unable to overcome the Renegades' 37-28 halftime advantage.
The Cougars continue conference play Wednesday, Jan. 17 with a road trip to Citrus (11-5, 2-0).
The action continues Saturday, Jan. 20 back in the Cougar Cage with a 3 p.m. tipoff vs. Antelope Valley College (7-9, 1-1). That game will be broadcast to fans on YouTube via 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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
—Photo by Carla Sophia Velasco/COC Sports Information