Cougars Advanced Past Lancers in Hinson's Winter Classic

Men's Basketball advanced in the opening round of the 2^nd Annual Hinson's Tire Pros Winter Classic at Cuesta with a decisive win over Pasadena, 84-57. The Cougars jumped out to a lead as it took the Lancers more than five minutes to put points on the board.  The Cougars took a ten-point lead into the intermission, 38-38, and widened the margin to over 30, before settling for the 27-point victory.  All-WSC Forward Noah Saunders (pict) led all scorers with 21 points and was one of four Cougars to reach double-digit points in the contest. Sharp-shooting Guard Josh Wilson-Murray knocked down a game-high four three-pointers on his way to 14 points, while Forwards Iker Cruz and Nico Gonzalez each tallied 11 points for the Cuesta cause.  Lancer Guard Ross Lee came off the bench in the first half and scored eight straight points to put pressure on the Cougars, but, after a 15-point first half, the Cougars held him to only one second-half free throw>  Ross led the Lancers with 16 points in the game. The Cougars (10-9) face #7 San Bernardino Valley on "Semi-Final Saturday" at 7 PM.  Pasadena faces Santa Barbara at 3 PM. 

First Round Scores-
San Bernardino Valley 93, Santa Barbara 41

Mt San Jacinto 76, LA Harbor 68

East LA 63, Allan Hancock 46

Cuesta 84, Pasadena 57

Semi Final Schedule
1 PM (Consol) Allan Hancock v. LA Harbor
3 PM (Consol) Santa Barbara v. Pasadena
5 PM (Champ) East LA v. Mt San Jacinto
7 PM (Champ) San Bernardino Valley v. Cuesta