SMCC Men's Basketball Falls to Mesa CC

PHOENIX --- 

The South Mountain Community College basketball team (6-14, 1-11 ACCAC) lost 105-70 to Mesa CC in an ACCAC road contest on Saturday, Jan 27. Sophomore Jaylen Wesley led SMCC with 20 points, and freshman Parker Escalante added 19 for the Cougars in the defeat. 

SMCC trailed 46-29 at halftime and fell 59-41 in the second half. The Cougars shot 33.9 percent (20 of 59) from the field and made 27 of 34 free throws (79.4 percent). They also totaled 21 rebounds, eight assists, eight steals, and two blocks in the loss.  

Wesley extended his streak of 20-plus point games to 19 straight contests and was 6 of 16 from the field and 8 of 9 from the charity stripe. He added eight rebounds, one assist, two steals, and a block in 30 minutes. He is averaging 26.8 points and 10.5 rebounds in 19 games this year. 

Escalante made a season-high 11 free throws and was 4 of 12 from the floor in 31 minutes. He added three offensive rebounds and two steals and is now averaging 13.8 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 20 games this season. 

Freshman Bobby Holcomb had 10 points off the bench thanks to a pair of 3-pointers. Fellow rookie Torian Gant had six points thanks to six free throws and added one rebound, two assists, and two steals in 18 minutes. Freshman Deven Johnson finished with five points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 23 minutes.