College Basketball : Lackluster Second Half Costs Canyons

After mounting an impressive rally before intermission, College of the Canyons played the rest of its Palomar tournament consolation semifinal game Wednesday as though Coach Lee Smelser had demanded nonstop wind sprints at halftime.

Canyons (9-8) sleepwalked on offense in the second half and was bumped from the tournament by Mt. San Jacinto, 104-86.

“All that hard work down the drain,” Smelser lamented.

The spurts of diligence displayed by the Cougars were short and ineffective, however. A few players looked as though only smelling salts could jolt them from their complacency. There were moments--precious few moments--when Canyons played with emotion.

After the Cougars fell behind, 25-13, with less than 12 minutes to play in the half, reserve guard Steve Valenzuela buried 3 3-point shots, Tom Kelly added another 3-point shot and Larry Allbritton hit 2 free throws. When the 3-minute barrage had ended, the Mt. San Jacinto lead was shaved to 28-27.

The Cougars cooled and Eagle guard Ty Stockham nailed a 3-point shot with 4 minutes to play in the half, widening the lead to 43-35.

The closest Canyons came in the second half was when Valenzuela, who had a team-high 21 points, including 5 3-point shots, scored a layup with 10 minutes to play that cut the deficit to 78-72.