Canyons Takes Glendale to OT, Wins 74-69

GLENDALE, Calif. — Sophomore guard Coley Apsay's nine points in overtime helped the College of the Canyons men's basketball team edge out a narrow 74-69 victory over Glendale College on Wednesday night.

Apsay's play in the extra session was just the highlight of his performance, which included 24 points and three assists in leading Canyons to the win. 

The game was close throughout with seven ties and five lead changes. The Cougars, however, eventually found themselves down by as many as 16 points in the first half.

Canyons was able to chip away at the deficit late in the first half with a 14-6 run in the last seven minutes in the first half. Baskets from Tullio Parry, Brenden Otero, Victor Nwaba and Apsay would cut the Glendale lead down to eight by halftime. 

The Cougars only shot 35.3 percent in the first half while Glendale hit more than half of its shots at 53.6 percent.

In the second half, the Canyons was able to hold Glendale to only 30.4 percent shooting from the field, but COC would need to claw back from another huge deficit.

After Glendale scored six straight points to open the second half, COC would begin its comeback. Otero's jumper brought the Cougars within 10.

Then, after a wild sequence where COC grabbed two offensive rebounds, guard Chance Cole knocked down a three-pointer to bring COC to within five points with about 12 minutes in the game.

The Cougars would stay close and eventually tied the game at 52-52 thanks to an Apsay jumper with 5:35 left in regulation.

The Cougars took a 58-57 lead thanks to a three-pointer from guard Mike Garrett and a Parry layup that brought the COC lead to three points.

But then, Glendale's Michael Carter later hit a three-pointer which tied the game at 60 and sent it into overtime.

In the extra period, the Cougars were able to jump out to a 65-62 lead thanks to an Apsay three-pointer.

Moments later, Parry was fouled on a layup and converted the free shot to put COC up six with 1:43 to play. Late free throws by reserve Brodric Smith helped seal the victory for the Cougs.

The victory gives Canyons a three-game winning streak and brings the team's overall record to 14-10. COC is now 6-5 in Western State Conference, South play.