Cuesta team loses in Rabobank Tournament final
The Cuesta College men's basketball team struggled from the field in the first half and lost to Chaffey 52-43 in the championship game of the Rabobank Tournament on Sunday at Cuesta.
The Cougars (2-1) shot just 24 percent (6 of 25) in the first half, including 2 of 11 from 3-point range, and scored just 14 points.
Chaffey, ranked No. 2 in the Southern California region in the California Community Colleges Men's Basketball Coaches Association pre-season rankings and coming off back-to-back Final Four appearances at the state tournament, wasn't much better, shooting
33 percent (10 of 30) and taking a 22-14 lead into halftime.
"They are one of the top teams in the state," Cougars coach Rusty Blair said. "This is what we knew we were going to get. We're glad to play a top team like this early. It was a good experience for our freshman. We did a good job holding them to 22 points in the first half."
The Cougars shot much better in the second half and finished at 37 percent (18 for 49).
Tayler Thompson and Rafael Cassanova scored 10 points each to lead Cuesta. Rafael Eleftheriou added nine points, four assists and three steals, Kevawn Lord had seven points and Keshawn Liggins had a team-high nine rebounds for the Cougars.
Cuesta outrebounded Chaffey 32-26. Carl Robinson scored 13 points to lead the Panthers.
Cuesta's Benat Hevia had four assists.
Cuesta turned the ball over 20 times in the loss.
Thompson and Cassanova were named to the all-tournament team.
Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/11/09/3341585/college-roundup-cuesta-mens-basketball.html?sp=/99/224/#storylink=cpy