COC Posts 1-2 Record at Moorpark Invitational

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

MOORPARK — College of the Canyons posted a 1-2 record at the annual 'We Are MC' Invitational hosted by Moorpark College Nov. 9-11.

Canyons (3-3) opened the event with a 61-50 loss to the host Raiders (4-2) despite a team-high 17 points from Hannah Tolentino. COC starters Aaliyah Garcia and Jade Sims finished with 10 and 11 points, respectively, to help keep the Lady Cougars within striking distance. Vanessa Zavala pulled down eight rebounds in the game. 

COC was undone in the final quarter as Moorpark was able to generate an 18-7 advantage across the final 10 minutes as Canyons shot just 2-of-12 from the floor. 

Rebecca Saidof led Moorpark with a game-high 18 points, including eight in the decisive fourth quarter. The Raiders also outrebounded Canyons 59-31 for the game. 

The Lady Cougars earned an 89-79 victory over L.A. Southwest on the tournament's second day behind a trio of strong performances. Garcia finished with a game-high 27 points ahead of Tolentino and Sims at 22 each. COC shot nearly 46 percent from the floor and were 11-of-27 from behind the arc. 

Garcia also turned in 10 assists to lead all players. Sims came away with nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a pair of blocks. Alexis Ruelas ended her night with five steals on the defensive end, with 10 points and four assists.

Brooklyn McCary led all scorers with 31 points and Kayla Buffington added 25 more for the Southwest side. 

On the tournament's final day Canyons matched up with a familiar opponent in conference rival L.A. Valley College. The Monarchs were able to emerge 88-73 despite COC seeing four starters finish in double digits. 

Sims turned in another strong all-around game with 26 points, five assists and seven rebounds. Garcia was next with 13, while Zavala and Tolentino had 12 apiece. Garcia's six assists were also a team best.

Canyons and LAVC played to a 17-17 tie after one with the Cougars trailing by four headed into the halftime locker room. The Monarchs were able to put the game away by outscoring COC 26-18 across the final quarter of action. 

The Lady Cougars return to Lee Smelser Court at the Cougar Cage on Tuesday, Nov. 21 with a 1 p.m. home tilt vs. College of the Sequoias. 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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.