SMCC Women's Basketball Falls in Season Opener

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College women's basketball team lost its 2022-23 season opener 67-60 to Arizona Christian University (JV) on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the SMCC Gym. Sophomore Star Anderson scored a team-high 19 points, including four 3-pointers, and sophomore Andrea Willeto had a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds), but the Firestorm overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to steal the victory. 

SMCC led 28-25 at halftime and 46-36 after 30 minutes of action. However, ACU outscored the Cougars 31-14 in the fourth quarter to take the win. SMCC shot 35.3 percent from the field (24-of-68), 33.3 percent from 3-point range (6-of-18) and 50 percent from the free throw line (6-of-12). The Cougars grabbed 34 rebounds, dished out 14 assists and had 21 steals in the contest. 

Anderson finished 7-of-15 from the field and 4-of-8 from downtown, and added four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Willeto was 5-of-12 from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds and had two assists to post a double-double. 

Freshman Myla Lee also scored 11 points and shot 4-of-12 from the field. She had a team-high five assists and seven steals, and added six rebounds and a block. Freshman Nyese Jones had eight points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.