SMCC Men's Basketball Falls to Pima CC, Gillette College

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (3-6, 0-4 ACCAC) lost 118-59 to Pima CC in an ACCAC game on Dec. 16 and 79-73 to Gillette College in a non-conference contest on Dec. 19. Sophomore Jaylen Wesley led SMCC with a double-double against the Aztecs, finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Three days later, Wesley registered another double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds and freshman Bobby Holcomb added 22 against the Pronghorns. 

Pima CC Recap

The Aztecs scored 59 points in each half en route to the victory. The Cougars totaled 31 rebounds and seven steals in defeat. 

Wesley was 7 of 16 from the field and 7 of 9 from the free throw line in 34 minutes. Ten of his boards came on the offensive glass, and he added four rebounds, two blocks and a steal. 

Freshman Parker Escalante posted 13 points and connected on a pair of 3-pointers. He grabbed two rebounds and led SMCC with three assists in 32 minutes. 

Sophomore Nyzhir Brown and Holcomb each scored six points for the Cougars. Brown made two 3-pointers, and he and Holcomb each had a rebound. 

Gillette College Recap

The Cougars and Pronghorns battled late into the second half and Holcomb tied the game at 65 on a 3-pointer with 3:21 to play. He then made a lay-up to tie the game again, this time at 67, before Gillette closed the game on a 12-6 run.  

SMCC totaled 38 rebounds and made 10 3-pointers for the contest. 

Wesley was 8 of 25 from the floor and made a pair of 3-pointers. He was 11 of 12 from the free throw line and all 13 of his rebounds were defensive boards. He added two assists, one steal, and one block while playing 40 minutes. He is averaging 28.3 points and 11.1 rebounds this season. 

Holcomb was 7 of 16 from the field and made four 3-pointers in 35 minutes. He added three rebounds and an assist, and is averaging 15.6 points and 3.3 rebounds this year. 

Brown made three 3-pointers to finish wih nine points, and he added two rebounds in 33 minutes. Escalante had seven points, four steals, two assists, and one rebound in 33 minutes. 

Freshman Jayven Driscoll posted a season-high nine points and three assists, and added four points and a steal in 27 minutes.