SMCC Men's Hoops Defeats Mesa CC in ACCAC Opener

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team defeated Mesa CC 65-52 on Nov. 22 in both teams' Arizona Community College Athletic Conference opener. Sophomore Darien Allen and freshman Jimmy Causey Jr. led the Cougars with 14 points, and freshman Jaylen Wesley added 13 as SMCC posted the road victory. 

SMCC led 32-26 at halftime and won the second half 33-27 while shooting 45.1 percent from the field (23-of-51) and 81 percent (17-of-21) from the free throw line. The Cougars had 27 rebounds, 14 assists, 11 steals and four blocks in the victory. 

Causey Jr. was 6-of-9 from the field with five rebounds, a steal and several rim-rattling dunks. Allen finished 6-of-14 from the field with a 3-pointer, three rebounds, four assists and two blocks.  

Wesley went 4-of-7 from the field and hit all five of his free throws. He led SMCC with seven rebounds and added two assists, a steal and a block. 

Sophomore Steven Cervantes had six points, three rebounds and three assists, and freshman Nahshon Harper added seven points, two rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Abdi Odowaay chipped in four points, two assists and a steal, and Kiai Apele had three assists, three steals and two points off the bench.