COC Falls 82-79 in Final Seconds at Rio Hondo

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

WHITTIER — College of the Canyons was the victim of an 82-79 road loss at Rio Hondo College on Wednesday, with the Cougars falling despite a 22-point performance from Justin Perez.

Canyons (2-9) has now dropped three games by single-digit point totals this season, including two in the team's current four-game skid. The three-point road loss to Rio Hondo was preceded by a one-point defeat vs. Santa Barbara City College at the Cougar Cage in late November. 

Perez' 22 points came on a 9-of-13 shooting night that was complimented with seven rebounds. Donovan Cornelius was also key for the Cougars with 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.

Donovan Chapman finished with 11 points, three boards and three assists. Raz Orbach led the Cougars with 11 rebounds and added eight points. 

The Cougars worked for a 35-31 lead heading into halftime behind Perez' 11 points in the opening period. The Canyons bench also accounted for 12 points in the half to help keep the Roadrunners in check. 

Rio Hondo (1-11) surged back in the second half, however, behind a 51-point run that saw Dorian Tate finish with 20 points in the half. As a team, Rio Hondo shot better than 60 percent in the second half while connecting on a trio of three-pointers. The Roadrunners also converted on 14-of-19 of its foul shots down the stretch.

Tate also nabbed 21 rebounds and finished with 31 points in the game to lead all scorers. Jordan Peterson was next with 19 points after sinking four three-pointers for his side.

Rio Hondo regained the lead at 80-79 on a Tate layup with roughly 30 seconds to go. Canyons was able to get off two three-pointers in the final seconds of the contest in an attempt to retake the lead, but neither shot found its mark. Rio Hondo then sealed the victory with a pair of free throws in the final moments. 

COC is back in action during the 34th Annual Cougar Holiday Classic being played Dec. 27-28 on Lee Smelser Court at the Cougar Cage. The Cougars host Orange Coast College at 7 p.m. on day one. L.A. Trade Tech College and Mt. San Antonio College square off in the tourney opener at 5 p.m.

All tournament games will be live streamed to fans free of charge 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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.   

—Photo by Robert Hanashiro/COC Sports Information