PHH Prep Edges SMCC Men's Hoops in Season Opener

PHOENIX ---

Sophomore Demonte Demore scored a team-high 24 points and freshman Darien Allen added 14, but the South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (0-1) fell 78-75 to PHH Prep Academy on Monday, Nov. 1 in the Cougars' 2021-22 season opener. Sophomore Fahad Tarjali was the third SMCC player in double-figures, finishing with 13 points. 

SMCC held a 40-32 advantage after 20 minutes of action, but PHH Prep outscored the Cougars 46-35 in the second half to secure the victory. As a team, the Cougars shot 45 percent from the field (27-of-60), 7.1 percent (1-of-14) from 3-point range, and 76.9 percent (20-of-26) from the free throw line. 

Demore finished 9-of-17 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line in his SMCC debut. He  added three assists, three steals and a block in 29 minutes of work. 

Allen went 7-of-12 from the field and added four rebounds and an assist to his 14 points in 30 minutes of action. Tarjali was 4-of-8 from the field and 5-of-7 from the line to get to double figures. He tied for the team-high with five rebounds, and had an assist and a steal. 

Sophomore Angel Villa also had five rebounds and added four points and two assists. Sophomore Isaiah Camon came off the bench to finish with nine points, four rebounds and three asissts in 20 minutes of work. Freshman Cam Gwyn had the team's only 3-pointer and finished with five points and three rebounds.