Canyons is Toppled 87-69 by AVC

LANCASTER, Calif. — The College of Canyons men's basketball team trailed throughout in its 87-69 loss to Antelope Valley College on Saturday night.

The Maurauders outmuscled Canyons on the glass and on the inside, outrebounding COC 45-36 and doubling COC's production in the paint 50-24.

The Cougars found themselves behind by as many as 17 points late in the first half. However, a late 9-0 run by the Cougars to close the first half would cut Antelope Valley's lead to 39-31 at the half.

COC would open the second half with four quick points, getting within four points of Antelope Valley. But the Mauraders immediately responded with a 16-5 run of their own, pushing their lead back up to 15 points.

For every small run COC made, Antelope Valley had an answer. After a pair of Brodric Smith free throws and a Coley Apsay bucket cut the lead to eight, Antelope Valley scored 11 points in a row ending any shot of a comeback.

COC forward Tullio Parry led the Cougars with 12 points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes of action. Guard Coley Apsay also added 12 points to go along with his four rebounds and three assists.

COC sophomore guard Brodric Smith scored nine points and added three assists off the bench. Freshman forward Nick Howard led the reserves in scoring with 11 points off the bench in just 12 minutes of play.

The loss drops COC's record to 11-10 overall and 3-5 in the Western State Conference, South division.

Head coach Howard Fisher next leads the Cougars at home against Santa Monica College at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4.