SMCC Men's Hoops Falls to Cochise

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (5-8, 0-5 ACCAC) lost 73-62 to Cochise College on Wednesday, Jan. 3, in an ACCAC game at the SMCC Gym. Sophomore Jaylen Wesley led SMCC with 21 points, with freshman Parker Escalante adding 14 and sophomore Nyzhir Brown posting 13, but the Cougars could not overcome a tough shooting night from the field in the loss to the Apaches. 

SMCC trailed 33-29 at halftime and got to within 33-32 early in the second half before ultimately falling 40-33. The Cougars finished 17 of 65 from the field (26.2 percent) and were 21 of 27 (77.8 percent) from the free throw line. They grabbed 37 rebounds, 18 of which came on the offensive glass, and added 10 assists and eight steals. 

Wesley extended his streak of scoring at least 20 points to 13 straight games with his team-high 21 points. He added seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals in 36 minutes. 

Escalante posted four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in addition to his 14 points. Brown connected on three 3-pointers and added a rebound in 35 minutes.  

Sophomore Coleman Anderson came off the bench to finish with seven points and six rebounds in 18 minutes. He also had an assist and a steal. Freshman Deven Johnson led SMCC with four assists and added three offensive rebounds. Freshman Jayven Driscoll grabbed five offensive rebounds and finished with six boards.