HAWKS TAKE JOHN HOGUE MEMORIAL CONSOLATION CHAMPIONSHIP

UKIAH, Calif.- The Cosumnes River men's basketball team secured the consolation championship this weekend at the John Hogue Memorial Tournament, defeating Redwoods 76-58 on Saturday afternoon.  Sophomore forward David Straughter was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 14 points and eight rebounds over the three-game stretch.  The Hawks improve to 2-3 on the season, and will remain idle until they return to action next month, when they host the James Clark Classic at Cosumnes River College.

With both teams coming off impressive victories to advance to the tournament consolation final, Cosumnes River and Redwoods looked to put together winning streaks heading into the Thanksgiving holiday break.  CRC took an early lead utilizing their size advantage, particularly inside, pounding Redwoods in the paint and working inside-out offensively.  Reserve forward Ty'Quan Neal was particularly effective inside, scoring 17 points off the bench to help put Cosumnes River up double-digits for most of the first half. 

The Hawks pushed the lead to as much as 16, before a late Redwoods run cut the deficit to six points with less than a minute remaining.  Freshman guard Will White was effective facilitating the offense for CRC, recording a game-high seven assists, including one on a corner three-pointer by sophomore guard Phil Randles as time-expired to push the CRC lead to nine at intermission.

CRC continued to pound the ball inside early in the second half, as forward Straughter scored six early points to help push the Redwoods deficit back to double-digits.  Cosumnes River led by as many as 23 points in the second half, led offensively by freshman guard Trenton Anthony, who scored 25 points while shooting 5-6 from three-point range, as the Hawks recorded their second victory of the season defeating Redwoods 76-58.  Anthony also contributed six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the victory.  Cosumnes River improves to 2-3 on the young season with the victory, while Redwoods falls to 3-3 on the year.

The Hawks grabbed 41 rebounds on the day, including 18 offensive boards.  Neal led the way, recording his first collegiate double-double, scoring 17 points and recording 10 rebounds in the win.  Straughter, who was named to the tournament's John Hogue Memorial All-Tournament team, scored 16 points while recording nine rebounds in the game.  White also added six rebounds for the Hawks in his second consecutive start.

Cosumnes River returns to action following the holiday break, when they play host to the 36th Annual James Clark Classic at Cosumnes River College.  They'll open the tournament against Central Valley Conference foe Merced in the opening round of the event. 

Also appearing in the tournament will be Coast North Conference opponent and Final Four team Chabot, as Napa Valley, Feather River, and Alameda return to the tournament.  Big 8 opponent Sacramento City and Siskiyous appear in the tournament for the first time this season.