Lady Cougars Snap Skid, Win 68-37 at Bakersfield

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

BAKERSFIELD — Monique Febles scored 15 points and LuLu Saloom turned in another 20-rebound performance as College of the Canyons snapped a two-game skid with a 68-37 win at Bakersfield College on Saturday night.

Canyons (7-8, 1-1) rallied from a dismal shooting performance earlier in the week vs. L.A. Valley to record a nearly 44 percent team field goal percentage vs. the Renegades (6-11, 0-2). Led by Salloom, Canyons dominated the glass and distributed the ball to the tune of 20 assists, five coming off the hand of Febles, who also led all scorers at 15.

Saloom has now recorded five games of 20 or more rebounds and currently ranks second in the state at 16.7 per game. After finishing with 13 points vs. Bakersfield she also claims four straight double-doubles dating back to Dec. 29.

Hannah Tolentino made her presence felt with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Natasha Surgick was inserted into the starting lineup and responded with eight points and three boards on an efficient 4-of-5 shooting night.

The Cougars' defensive effort netted 23 turnovers with 16 steals and helped keep Bakersfield to single digit point totals in three of four quarters. The Renegades started to put things together in the third quarter, but by then it was too late as COC outscored BC 20-5 down the stretch. 

Bakersfield was led by Tori Robertson who scored 13 points and pulled down eight boards off the bench. BC starter Laura Arciga was next with 10 points. The Renegades were 1-of-22 from three-point land and shot a combined 22.2 percent for the game.

Top Performers

• Monique Febles – 38 min, 15 pts, 6 rebs, 5 assists, 2 stls
• LuLu Salloom – 38 min, 13 pts, 20 rebs, 4 assists, 2 stls, 4 blocks, 5-of-7 shooting
• Hannah Tolentino – 34 min, 11 pts, 4 rebs, 4 assists, 4 steals, 5-of-8 shooting
• April Tuason – 30 min, 12 pts, assists, 3 stl
• Natasha Surgick – 15 min, 8 pts, 3 rebs, 4-of-5 shooting

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons is back in the Cougar Cage Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. to host conference opponent Citrus College. That game will be broadcast to fans free of charge via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network.

The Cougars are then back on the road to take on Antelope Valley College at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14.

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