COC Loses to Tourney Host in First Round

SAN JACINTO, Calif. — College of the Canyons guard Coley Apsay's 27 points weren't enough to hold off the Mount San Jacinto Eagles in the first game of the Mount San Jacinto Tournament, as COC lost 83-75 on Thursday night.

COC shot a blistering 52 percent from the field in the first half, draining 7-of-11 shots from three-point range. Meanwhile, Mount San Jacinto was held to just 38 percent shooting in the first half.

The Cougars entered the second half leading by four points behind Apsay's 20 first-half points on 8-of-12 shooting. Apsay also shot 4-of-6 on three-point field goals, while adding two assists and three rebounds.

The Eagles closed out the first half, however, on a 12-2 run to cut the Cougars' 14-point lead – COC's biggest of the game – to four points at the half.

San Jacinto turned the tables on the Cougars in the second half, outscoring them 51-39 on their way to victory. The Eagles were able to track down more rebounds and pressure COC shooters into shooting just 37 percent in the second half..

Mount San Jacinto outrebounded COC in the second half 25-10, including winning the battle on the offensive glass.  The Cougars were outrebounded 47-30 for the game.

COC's Tullio Parry finished as COC's second leading scorer with 13 points.

The loss drops COC's record to 3-3 on the season. The Cougars next play San Diego Mesa College at the Mount San Jacinto Tournament.