Canyons Tops Chaffey 79-51, Wissmath Gets First Win

By Alexis Quevedo / COC Sports Information  

College of the Canyons opened its 2022-23 season with a 79-51 victory over Chaffey College in the Cougar Cage on Tuesday, the first win for first-year head coach John Wissmath. 

Canyons (1-0) showed a dominant shooting performance to build an early 7-0 lead and never looked back, playing the duration of the game with the lead. Four of COC's starters finished the game in double digits, combining for 54 points. 

COC sophomore April Tauson made major contributions on both ends of the court, leading the team with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting and also shot 57 percent from three-point range. She ended the game with seven assists and a team-high five steals.

Canyons sophomore Natalie Satamian finished with 15 points in the game and LuLu Salloom recorded a double-double with a whopping 20 rebounds, including nine off the offensive glass, to go with 12 points and three blocks on 5-of-11 shooting.

Monique Febles scored eight points with three assists and seven rebounds for the Cougars and Amiya Robinson ended the game with 11 points to go with 10 rebounds.

Chaffey (0-4) received 13 first-half points from Grace Estrada but still trailed 34-23 at the end of the half. 

It was in the third quarter that the Cougars' offense began firing on all cylinders, erupting for 29 points to outscore the Panthers by 14.

COC continued its offensive output in the fourth quarter eventually leading by as many as 30 points. Canyons outworked the Panthers in the paint with 32 points compared to the

Panthers' 26. COC also netted 17 points off of Chaffey turnovers. 

The Cougars reserves also played a key role in the victory, combining for 17 points off the bench including eight from Hannah Tolentino.

The Panthers' duo of Estrada and Meghan Cooper finished the game with 35 points providing

more than half of the Chaffey offense. Estrada also finished with a team high seven assists and five steals.

Canyons outscored the Panthers in all four quarters in addition to out-rebounding them

62-36. COC also kept the turnovers to a minimum finishing with only six compared to 18 for the Panthers.

The Cougars are back in action Friday, Nov. 11 vs. San Bernardino Valley College in the opening round of the annual West L.A. College Shootout.

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.

—Photo by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information