After falling to the Rebels 62-55 earlier in the season, the Canyon Cougars earned revenge Tuesday night in Bales Gym beating Hays by a score of 61-40.
A competitive and contentious first half ended with a 21-23 Canyon lead. Although Hays was getting out rebounded, the Cougars repeatedly missed open shots helping keep the Rebels in the game.
Although the Cougars outsized the Rebels at a majority of positions, first year head coach Matt Sandoval did not accept that as a valid excuse for being out-hustled rebounding. Sandoval said that in the previous matchup, his team outrebounded Canyon, and had a brief, pragmatic answer regarding their lack of performance on the boards tonight.
“Desire,” said Sandoval. “Go up and get the ball off the rim.”
Canyon’s two-point advantage grew to a nine point lead, which soon became 20 points as its shots, particularly three-pointers, began to fall in the second.
After going just 3-13 from deep in the first half, the Cougars were able to go 6-12 from three-point range in the second to swing momentum in their direction. Cougars point guard Zach McKee hit 4 three-pointers on the night, including two back-to-back threes in the 4th quarter to help put the Rebels away.
Other key offensive contributors for the cougars include, J.C. Jarrett who had 11 points on the game, seven of which came in the fourth quarter. Trevor Pape also had six points and two rebounds.
Offensively for the Rebels, Charles Bohannon had 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Luke Watson and Dawson Moreland each added six points.
On the defensive side of the ball, Canyon stayed in a 3-2 zone for the entire game, while Hays rotated between a zone and a full-court press when the lead began to mount.
The Hays Rebels are back in action Tuesday December 6 as they travel to Anderson to take on the 2-2 Trojans.
