Five Cougars Finish in Double-Figures as SMCC Men's Basketball Defeats GCC

PHOENIX ---

Sophomore Jaylen Wesley led five Cougars in double-figures with 29 points, and freshman Torian Gant scored a career-high 14 points off the bench as the South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (8-14, 3-11 ACCAC) defeated Glendale CC 100-89 in an ACCAC home contest on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the SMCC Gym. Freshman Bobby Holcomb (18 points), freshman Parker Escalante (15), and sophomore Nyzhir Brown (13) helped lead the Cougars to a season-high 100 points. 

SMCC led 53-40 after 20 minutes and shot 61.3 percent (19 of 31) from the field, including 83.3 percent (15 of 18) from 2-point range. The Cougars finished at 55.6 percent (30 of 54) from the field and 33.3 percent (7 of 21) from 3-point range. They made 33 of 36 free throws (91.7 percent) and added 27 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, and five blocks. 

Wesley was 8 of 16 from the field and 13 of 14 from the charity stripe in 36 minutes. He added eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Through 21 games, Wesley has averaged 27.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. 

Gant was a perfect 5 of 5 from the field and made all three free throws in 19 minutes. He added a rebound and a steal. 

Holcomb finished 6 of 12 from the field and made two 3-pointers. He added four free throws and a rebound in 33 minutes, averaging 15.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in 15 contests this season. 

Escalante was 3 of 5 from the field and made 9 of 10 attempts at the free-throw line. He added two rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 27 minutes. Escalante is averaging 13.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, and 2.9 apg in 22 games this year. 

Brown made three 3-pointers and posted four rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 19 minutes, and freshman Jayven Driscoll added four points and four rebounds.