Second-Half Surge Sends SMCC Men's Hoops Past Phoenix College

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team rallied for a 102-79 victory over Phoenix College in an ACCAC contest on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the SMCC Gym. Trailing 53-41 at halftime, the Cougars responded with a 61-26 second half to post the victory. Sophomore Jaylen Wesley led SMCC with 26 points and 12 rebounds, and four other Cougars scored in double-figures as the Cougars recorded a new season high in points. 

Phoenix College shot 52.8 percent (19 of 36) from the field and made 12 3-pointers in the first half. SMCC finished the first 20 minutes at 41.2 percent (14 of 34) and connected on six 3-pointers. 

Those numbers flipped in the second half as the Cougars shot 67.7 percent (21 of 31) while the Bears finished at 32.3 percent (10 of 31). SMCC made eight 3-pointers compared to four for PC in the frame. 

The Cougars narrowly won the rebounding battle 38-36 and scored 19 points off 14 Bear turnovers. SMCC also out-scored PC 38-24 in points in the paint. 

Wesley was 10 of 19 from the floor and made five free throws in 35 minutes. He added a season-high eight assists and three steals, and all 12 of his rebounds came on the defensive end. 

Freshman Bobby Holcomb knocked down a season-high six 3-pointers en route to a season-high 25 points. He also pulled down a season-high nine rebounds and added two assists and two steals in 38 minutes. 

Sophomore Nyzhir Brown also made a season-high six 3-pointers in the win to finish with a season-high 20 points. He added two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 33 minutes. 

Freshman Parker Escalante posted 14 points, four assists, and four steals in 28 minutes, while freshman Torian Gant came off the bench to record 10 points, two rebounds, and three assists.