Canyons Moves Past Glendale 68-67 and Into Tie for Conference Lead

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

LuLu Salloom lifted up for a short jumper inside the key and Monique Febles converted on two late free-throws to help push College of the Canyons past Glendale College 68-67 and into a tie for the top spot in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division. 

Canyons (11-8, 5-1) has now won five straight vs. conference opponents to match Glendale (15-5, 5-1) in the Western State Conference (WSC), South division standings. The Vaqueros entered Saturday's game as the No. 19 ranked team in the state according to the most recent California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) statewide poll.

Salloom's shot came with eight ticks left in regulation and put COC ahead 66-65 in what had been a back-and-forth fourth quarter of action. Three seconds later, following a Glendale turnover, it was Febles at the line to knock down a pair of clutch free-throws for a 68-65 Cougars' lead. 

Glendale then used its last timeout to set up a three-point play. After that attempt fell short Vaquero Cherilyn Legaspi was able to get the rebound and convert on a meaningless layup to leave the Vaqueros a point behind as time expired.

Saloom finished with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds while Febles tied for the game high with 20 points to go with seven assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Both sophomores have been outstanding through the first round of conference play. 

COC freshman Hannah Tolentino gave her side a huge boost with 15 points including a pair of back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter to help Canyons pull ahead.

Natasha Surgick contributed with six rebounds, four on the offensive side, and five points. Natalie Satamian came off the bench for 11 points, four rebounds and six assists.

The Cougars trailed 26-25 at the break but rallied to take a 50-48 advantage into the final quarter.

Glendale was led by 20 points from Faith Boulanger and 13 from Malie Yamada. Megan Delgado added 14 points off the bench with four three-pointers.

Canyons shot a combined 44.8 percent from the floor. The victory improved COC to 4-1 on its home court this season. The five straight wins is the most since the Cougars rattled off eight straight to begin the 2021-22 campaign.

Top Performers 

• Monique Febles – 40 min, 20 pts, 4 rebs, 7 assists, 2 stl,
• LuLu Salloom — 40 min, 14 pts, 10 rebs, assist, stl, block
• Natalie Satamian — 33 min, 11 pts, 4 rebs, 6 assists, stl, block
• Hannah Tolentino — 40 min, 15 pts, 2 rebs, stl

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons has concluded the first round of conference play and will now have a week off before a road trip to L.A. Valley College on Saturday, Jan. 28, with that contest scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m.

The Lady Cougars then return to the Cougar Cage on Wednesday, Feb. 1 for a 5 p.m. start vs. Bakersfield College. That game will be broadcast 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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

–Photo by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information