Cougars Finish In Third Place At Ventura College Tournament of Champions

VENTURA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons women's basketball team finished in third place at the Ventura College Tournament of Champions and sophomore Delisa Chapman was named All-Tournment. The Cougars went went 2-1 at the tournament and only lost to defending state champion Mt. SAC.

In game one, COC led 45-16 at the half against Laney College and held off the Oakland team to win 81-54. Delisa Chapman led all scorers with 26 points while freshman Nailah Long chipped in 18.

In the championship semifinal round the Cougars let a five-point lead with three minutes left in the game slip through their fingers en route to a 53-47 loss to defending state champion and No. 1-ranked Mt. SAC. The Mounties out scored the Cougars 13-2 to finish out the game. Chapman led COC with 11 points and seven rebounds.

In the third-place game, Canyons led 29-22 at the halfway point and extended its lead to 20, but held off Contra Costa 54-47. Contra Costa came storming back in the last few minutes and came as close at five points in the last two minutes of play. Three free throws from Hope Smith, who led all scorers with 21 points, sealed the deal for COC, improving their season record to 3-3.

Chapman was selected to the All-Tournament Team.

The team is off for two weeks and will continue play in the Rose City Classic in Pasadena on Dec. 7.