SMCC Men's Hoops Falls to Arizona Western

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team lost 72-61 to Arizona Western in an ACCAC home game at the SMCC Gym on Feb. 3. Sophomore Darien Allen and freshman Shamar Grant finished with 16 points apiece for the Cougars, but the Matadors used a 47-point second half to snap SMCC's three-game conference winning streak. 

Arizona Western held a narrow 25-23 advantage after 20 minutes but would win the second half 47-38 to claim the victory. SMCC shot 34.4 percent (22-of-64) from the floor and made 11-of-14 free throws. The Cougars added 21 rebounds, 15 assists, eight steals and three blocked shots in the loss. 

Allen was 7-of-12 from the field and had four rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block in 31 minutes. Grant came off the bench to knock down four 3-pointers and dish out a pair of assists in addition to his 16 points. 

Sophomore Abdi Odowaay and freshman Jaylen Wesley each scored seven for SMCC. Odowaay registered two rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 24 minutes, while Wesley had three rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. 

Freshman Aaron Johnson produced six points and five rebounds in 17 minutes as a reserve, and freshman Nahshon Harper chipped in four points.