Lady Cougars Crowned Tournament Champs at ELAC Husky Classic

The College of the Canyons women's basketball team defeated Mission College of Santa Clara 80-79 on Tuesday night, returning home from the East Los Angeles College Husky Classic as tournament champions.

Canyons (10-4) opened up the first quarter by outscoring Mission 27-12, which would prove pivotal in the closing seconds of the game.

Despite a closely played second quarter, the Lady Cougars took a 45-31 lead into the locker room at halftime

However, by the end of the third quarter, the Lady Saints had cut the Canyons lead in half. By the fourth quarter Mission established its first lead of the game at 75-74

Back-to-back jump shots by sophomore forwards Hannah Green and Monica Friedl put the Cougars back up by three with two minutes to play.

But Mission quickly regained the lead at 79-78.

With 24 seconds to play COC freshman guard Brittany Martin made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the game at 79-79.

Twenty seconds later Martin was at it again, coming away with a key steal that set up the final scoring sequence.

After a timeout by Canyons head coach Greg Herrick, sophomore forward Monica Friedl was fouled and sent to the line with three seconds remaining on the clock and a chance to win the game

Friedl made the first shot, and missed the second, putting Canyons ahead for good at 80-79.

COC was led by sophomore forward Hannah Green who finished with a team-high 21 points and an impressive 27 rebounds. Green also added two steals and five blocks.

In addition to her game-winning foul shot, Friedl posted a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds, adding two blocks in the process.

Canyons freshman guard Erin Kiley added 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to help the Cougars to victory.

The Lady Cougars will open Western State Conference, South play on Wednesday, Jan. 6, as COC travels to face Santa Monica at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6.