Canyons Comes From Behind in First Round of IVC Classic

IRVINE, Calif. — After falling behind in the first half, a critical rally in the game's final 20 minutes lifted the College of the Canyons men's basketball team over rival Ventura 61-57 in the first round of the Irvine Valley College Classic.

For both Ventura and COC, baskets were hard to come by. Neither team shot over 40 percent from the field or 30 percent from behind the three-point line. Both struggled to make free throws, combining to go just 29-46 from the charity stripe.

Instead, the two teams duked it out in a defensive showdown that featured six ties and nine lead changes.

Leading the way for the Cougars was Tullio Parry, who contributed 16 points and eight rebounds at the forward position.

At guard, Coley Apsay continued to display top form with a 15-point, five-assist performance with two three pointers.

After entering halftime down 30-23, the Cougars held Ventura to just 8-of-27 shooting to come away with their second victory of the season.

With an early record of 2-1, COC is off to a good start to the 2014-15 campaign, but will look to continually improve before the start of the upcoming Western State Conference (WSC) South Schedule.

Canyons will next face Long Beach City College in the second round of the IVC Classic on Friday