Cougars Outpace Santa Barbara 96-70
Canyons (2-2) was led by freshman Staffon Chiles who scored 22 points in the winning effort.
By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director
Freshman Staffon Chiles scored 22 points and sophomore Anthony Simone added 20 more to lead College of the Canyons past Santa Barbara City College 96-70 at the Cougar Cage on Saturday afternoon.
Canyons (2-2) and SBCC (0-1) played a tight ballgame over the first ten minutes before the Cougars were able to create some separation.
COC then went on a 16-4 run over the next five minutes to eventually head into the locker room with a 50-32 halftime lead.
Chiles did most of his damage in the opening half, going 7-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-6 from three-point territory, to finish with 17 points at the break. Likewise for Simone, who ended the first half with 12 points and seven rebounds. He finished the game with 11 rebounds, including six off the offensive glass.
The Cougars shot just over 44 percent from the field in the first half and were 9-of-10 from the foul line.
The Vaqueros, who were playing in their first regular season action, kept better pace with Canyons in the second half, but were unable to ever get back into the game.
Zach Phipps led the Cougars with 13 points of his 15 points in the second half. The freshman ended the game with nine rebounds, three steals and a block.
Denzel Nwanguma was able to spread the ball around to the tune of nine assists. He also scored seven points and came away with five rebounds.
Jordan Nash chipped in with nine points and four assists off the bench for COC.
The Vaqueros had all five starters score in double figures, with Kile Kleiner's 16 points leading for his team. Zeke McMurty scored 12 points to go with nine rebounds.
SBCC shot just 35.9 percent from the field and 63.3 percent from the foul line. Canyons won the battle on the boards 45-32.
COC will next compete at the San Juan Hills Toyota Classic hosted by Irvine Valley College. The three-day tournament will unfold Nov. 15-17 with Canyons set to face Cerritos College at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
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.
—Photo by John Wareham/COC Sports Information