Second-Half Surge Sends SMCC Past Phoenix College
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Mountain Community College (5-4, 2-0) | 26 | 39 | 65 |
|
Phoenix College (4-4, 0-2) | 32 | 24 | 56 |
PHOENIX ---
The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (5-4, 2-0 ACCAC) defeated Phoenix College 65-56 in an ACCAC road game on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Phoenix College Gym. Sophomore Cash Callaway scored a game-high 28 points and tied a season-high with seven 3-pointers, and freshman Jayden Potts added 15 points and a team-best nine rebounds as the Cougars overcame a first-half deficit.
Trailing 32-26 at halftime, the Cougars opened the second half on a 17-2 run to take a 43-34 lead with about 15 minutes to play. The Bears responded with a 9-0 run of their own and eventually tied the game at 46-46 with 10 minutes to go. From there, Callaway and Potts took over on the offensive end, and Potts punctuated the victory with a breakaway slam dunk to end the contest.
SMCC has started conference play 2-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season when the Cougars opened the conference slate with wins over Mesa CC and Arizona Western.
Callaway was 8 of 16 from the floor and 7 of 13 from deep in 32 minutes. He made 5 of 6 free throws and added five rebounds, three assists, and a steal. He is averaging 19.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in nine contests this season.
Potts finished 6 of 11 from the field and made two 3-pointers in 28 minutes. Eight of his nine boards were defensive rebounds, and he added four steals, two assists, and a block. He is averaging 17 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in four contests.
Sophomore Jayven Driscoll had six points and eight rebounds and knocked down some critical free throws in 28 minutes. Sophomore Jacob Taylor and freshman McKay Anderson each had five points, with Taylor posting two rebounds, one assist, and one steal while Anderson knocked down a 3-pointer and added a steal.
Sophomore Nathan Robinson posted two points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 19 minutes off the bench.
SMCC shot 44.7 percent (21 of 47) from the floor and 42.3 percent (11 of 26) from 3-point range. The Cougars added 35 rebounds, nine assists, 10 steals, and eight blocks in the win.