In the third-place game, host Canyons (6-7) got a tremendous performance SF Carlton Spencer and upset #4-ranked Antelope Valley (11-4), which lost for the second straight day.
Spencer had a game for the ages, posting the triple-double with 21 pts, 13 asts and 12 rebs. He also added a bit of drama, hitting the floor hard on a drive to the basket and leaving the game with 5:42 left, but returning to action with 4:07 left and helping COC secure the win by scoring 5 points in the final minute of the game.
After a putback basket by Ctr Brandon Murray gave AVC an early 2-0 lead, COC grabbed an 8-2 advantage on baskets by Spencer, SG Curtis Dunwoody, Ctr Andrew Morris and another by Dunwoody. The Cougars would extend their lead to 15 at 26-11 on threes by Spencer and Dunwoody with just under 7 minutes left in the first half. But successive threes by AVC SG Glenn Gilliard, including one at the first-half buzzer, allowed the Marauders to close the gap to 5 at the break. Gillard finished the first half with a game-high 17 pts including 5 threes for AVC.
When the second half started, AVC rallied to take a short lead at 46-44 on a layup by Gilliard. But then COC roared back to re-claim the lead. Spencer knocked down a three moments after grabbing his 10th rebound of the game (giving him a triple-double) to make it 53-46.
But on the next possession, Spencer drove towards the basket from the left wing, and landed awkwardly, hitting his head on the floor. Dazed, he was led to the training table with his team clinging to a 7-point lead with 5:42 to play.
The Cougars still led when Spencer returned, but AVC would make one last charge to try to win the game. When PG Tyronne Miller drained a three to make it 59-56, AVC's Wendell White was called for a pushing foul underneath the basket. A disgusted AVC Coach Chelette (who had received a technical foul a few minutes earlier) waved his handkerchief at the officials, saying "we surrender!"
But PG Joseph Dickson had other ideas. Dickson drained a three to get AVC back within 3 at 62-59 with 1:40 left. But then Spencer fed Morris for a layup to make it 64-59, and then Spencer scored on a putback to make it 66-59 with under a minute left. But then Dickson drew a foul and made 2 FTs to make it 66-61 with 53 seconds left. White and Spencer each made a free throw in the following seconds to make it 67-62, and then Dickson scored on a layup and drew the foul with 26 seconds left. The made FT brought AVC to within 2 at 67-65.
But that's as close as AVC would get. The Marauders were again forced to foul, and Spencer made 2 FTs to make it 69-65. Then, after a missed shot by Dickson, COC got the rebound. Again, AVC had to foul, and this time Dunwoody made 2 FTs to make it 71-65 and secure the win.
unofficial box score
Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 1 pm
COC Holiday Tourney - 3rd Place Game
Antelope Valley Marauders 65:
3-Joseph Dickson, PG - 3/7 fg, 7/9 ft, 1 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl, 14 pts
15-Carlton Clay, SF - 2/6 fg, 1/3 ft, 2 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk, 3 stl, 6 pts
20-Brandon Murray, C - 2/6 fg, 1/2 ft, 8 reb, 1 ast, 5 pts
23-Glenn Gilliard, SG - 8/16 fg, 7 reb, 2 ast, 21 pts
41-Wendell White, PF - 4/16 fg, 1/2 ft, 11 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 9 pts
10-Tyronne Miller, G - 1/4 fg, 1 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 3 pts
22-Curtis McHenry, F - 0/2 fg, 1 reb, 1 ast, 0 pts
34-Tommy Harris, C - 2/4 fg, 3/7 ft, 4 reb, 1 ast, 7 pts
team rebounds: 1
Totals: 22/61 fg (.361), 13/23 ft (.565), 36 reb, 16 ast, 2 blk, 7 stl, 65 pts
3-pt fg (8): Gilliard 5, Dickson, Clay, Miller
Tech Foul: Coach Chelette
Fouled Out: McHenry 14:57 left
Turnovers (19): Miller 4, Clay 3, Gilliard 3, White 3, Dickson 2, Murray 2, McHenry 2
Canyons Cougars 71:
10-Jordan Surratt, PG - 1/5 fg, 0/1 ft, 1 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl, 2 pts
20-Curtis Dunwoody, SG - 7/14 fg, 4/6 ft, 2 ast, 3 stl, 20 pts
23-Carlton Spencer, SF - 7/13 fg, 5/6 ft, 12 reb, 13 ast, 2 stl, 21 pts
32-Cedric Davis, PF - 1/6 fg, 2/2 ft, 7 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 4 pts
44-Andrew Morris, C - 5/7 fg, 1/2 ft, 3 reb, 1 blk, 2 stl, 11 pts
3-Landis Scott, G - 0/1 fg, 1 reb, 1 ast, 0 pts
33-Will Broadous, C - 3/6 fg, 2/4 ft, 7 reb, 8 pts
24-Brett Bissett, F - 2/2 fg, 3 reb, 4 pts
21-Stephon Williams, F - 1/2 ft, 1 reb, 1 pt
team rebounds: 5
Totals: 26/54 fg (.481), 15/23 ft (.652), 40 reb, 23 ast, 1 blk, 12 stl, 71 pts
3-pt fg (2): Dunwoody, Spencer
Fouled Out: Bissett 7:04 left, Surratt 5:04 left, Davis 2:26 left
Turnovers (20): Morris 5, Surratt 3, Dunwoody 3, Broadous 3, Spencer 2, Scott 2, Davis, Bissett
Halftime Score: COC 34, AVC 29
Updated Records: COC 6-7, AVC 11-4
