Canyons Finishes on Wrong Side of 70-69 OT Result at LAVC

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

VALLEY GLEN — College of the Canyons stormed back from a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to send the game into overtime before being handed a tough 70-69 road loss at L.A. Valley on Saturday.

The defeat snapped a six-game win streak for Canyons (13-9, 7-2) which had won five straight before being awarded a forfeit at the hands of Santa Monica College. COC has previously lost to the Monarchs on Jan. 4 in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division opener. 

L.A. Valley (16-7, 8-1) now holds a slight edge atop of the conference standings with five games to go.

The Cougars jumped out to an early six-point lead in the overtime period before LAVC made its move. The Monarchs converted a layup and three-pointer on back-to-back possessions to cut the COC lead at 69-65. 

A costly Canyons turnover with just under a minute to play led to another three-pointer from Jordyn Jiron and a 69-68 ballgame. The Monarchs then forced another COC mistake leading to the game-winning jumper from Leena Vo with just three seconds to go. COC was unable to convert on tis final shot attempt.

COC freshman Hannah Tolentino turned in another hot shooting performance finishing 7-of-12 from behind the arc for a game-high 28 points. Tolentino is averaging 15.7 points per game during conference play having reached double digits in seven straight.

Tolentino was a bright spot for a Canyons team that shot just 34.2 percent from the field and committed 12 turnovers. The Monarchs converted at a rate of 40.3 percent on the night and netted seven key steals in the game.

LuLu Salloom continued her quest for a state rebounding title, pulling down 27 rebounds to fall one shy of her career high. She currently ranks second in the state at 16.6 per game, just slightly behind the leader at 16.8. Salloom also scored 16 points to go with four assists in Saturday's game.

Monique Febles had a stat sheet that included 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

L.A. Valley received 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists from Jiron to lead the way. The Monarchs had four starters finish in double digits but received no bench points.

 Top Performers 

• Monique Febles – 45 min, 12 pts, 11 rebs, 4 assists, stl,
• LuLu Salloom — 45 min, 16 pts, 27 rebs, 4 assists
• Hannah Tolentino — 45 min, 28 pts, 3 rebs, 2 assists, 2 stl, 7-of-12 three-pointers

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons is back at the Cougar Cage on Wednesday Feb. 1 for a 5 p.m. tip-off against the Bakersfield College Renegades. That game will be broadcast to fans free of charge on the Cougars Sports Network.

The conference schedule continues Saturday, Feb. 4 with a trip to Citrus College and a 3 p.m. tip.

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