COC BEAT: SHOWDOWN : COC HAS SHOT AT TIE FOR TITLE.

Byline: Scott Magoloff Daily News Staff Writer

It happened.

The College of the Canyons women's basketball team defeated Santa Monica 72-64 on Wednesday and West L.A. lost 48-47 to Valley, setting up a Western State Conference showdown Saturday.

Canyons (20-8, 8-3) can earn a share of the conference title with a win at West L.A. (22-6, 9-2) on Saturday. The Cougars won the first meeting 58-46 on Feb. 3.

``We haven't been out of first place since three years ago,'' COC coach Greg Herrick said after Monday's win against Pierce, when the Cougars were two games behind West L.A. ``With some luck, we can still get it done.''

Well, here's COC's chance to tie for first place. And, with a bit of that luck of which Herrick spoke, the Cougars might just be healthy enough to be a co-champion.

Canyons won the last two WSC titles after posting undefeated conference seasons.

``You make your bed, you get to sleep in it, too,'' Herrick said. ``If we finish out strong, we can get a little winning streak (three) going into the playoffs.''

Things had been sketchy in the ballhandling department since the loss of point guard Stephanie Wasserman a couple of weeks ago. She had one of the highest assist averages in the WSC and was one of only two sophomores on the team.

But in the last three games, Tasha Allen has taken to the position nicely. The freshman from Banning High School had 29 points in Saturday's 82-71 loss to Bakersfield, had 25 in Monday's 78-62 win against Pierce and scored another 29 in the victory over Santa Monica.

All of these heroics have come on an injured knee, which, Herrick said, is likely to have some torn cartilage. Allen decided to play through the pain for the rest of the season because, with the absence of Wasserman, COC would have been left too thin at guard.

``That played into the decision,'' she said. ``Plus, I had to be a warrior and stick through it. I won't give up.''

Allen is averaging 15.3 points for the Cougars, who were nearly without leading scorer Kameelah Purdom, who sprained her ankle in the Bakersfield game. Purdom, who averages 16.4 points per game, missed Monday's game but returned to score 14 against Santa Monica on Wednesday.

To understand just how close COC was to disaster, when Allen's status was undecided, Herrick's plan was to move Purdom to guard. Then Purdom injured herself. But, as Herrick got his wish for luck, the two players have continued to drive the team. And forward Becca Voigt, who has been playing with a sore back, nearly had a triple-double on Monday with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine steals.

``It's very satisfying,'' said forward Sosanna Hallahan, who had 13 points and 17 rebounds against Santa Monica.``It's uplifting to know we can still do it even though we've lost great players.''

But with Liz Grey the only sophomore on the team, Herrick will not know what to expect come playoff time, which rapidly approaches.

``If we can stay together - injury free - we'll be OK,'' Herrick said. ``I like to see my cards. We don't know the condition of our players. That could change tomorrow. At this point, whoever lines up tomorrow, that's who we prepare.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO COC forward Becca Voigt has been playing despite a bad back.

Evan Yee/Daily News