Canyons Wins 71-67 Battle vs. Cerritos in Tourney Opener

Story and photo by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

IRVINE — College of the Canons had three starters score in double figures helping the Cougars to a 71-67 road win vs. Cerritos College during the opening round of the 25th Annual Irvine Valley Classic. 

COC freshman Andrew Henderson continued his hot start to the season with a team-high 17 points on a 5-of-10 shooting night. Henderson was also a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line and added nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks to his line.

His nine points in the opening half helped Canyons take a 38-29 lead into halftime. 

Dillon Barrientos and Aaron Reyes each finished the game with 12 points for the Cougars. Reyes also added a game-high 13 rebounds. Corwin Smith led the Cougars' reserves with eight points.

COC pulled down 45 rebounds compared to 32 from the Falcons (2-1). Canyons also edged Cerritos in shooting percentage going a combined 26-of-61 from the field for a mark of 42.6 percent. The Cougars also forced Cerritos into 15 turnovers.

Canyons (3-0) will now move on to face Ventura College at 6 p.m. in the tournament's championship game on Friday. 

A victory vs. Ventura would see the Cougars win back-to-back tournaments to begin the 2021-22 season. 

COC also won the season-opening 'Clash at Canyons' with wins over Oxnard and Barstow College on Nov. 4 and 6, respectively.

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.