By Brandon Johnson/COC Sports Information

Despite an uncharacteristically slow start from behind the three-point arc, host College of the Canyons rode a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring attack to an easy 82-33 victory over visiting L.A. Pierce on Wednesday night in the Cougar Cage.

Canyons (14-10, 5-0) put three players into double-digits in scoring, led by 19 points from Maryrose Elias, to win its sixth straight game.

Morgan Bizzell chipped in 11 off the bench, while Alexis Orellano filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Canyons used a relentless defense to force a season-high 32 turnovers, including five shot clock violations from the Brahmas.

Janeth Cruz was a constant force on the defensive end, collecting five steals to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds. COC finished the contest with a 48-19 rebounding advantage.

Diana Kohanzad was one of the lone bright spots for the Brahmas, tallying 21 points including three baskets from downtown.

Here’s the box score.

The Cougars will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 10, when they travel to face Santa Monica College.

With just three regular seasons games left on the schedule, COC remains in the driver’s’ seat in the Western State Conference South Division, with a Feb. 17 contest vs. West L.A. likely to decide the conference champion.

Stay up to date on all this season’s action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

— Photo by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director (click here for more photos).