SMCC Men's Basketball Claims Overtime Thriller Against Scottsdale CC

PHOENIX --- 

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (8-14, 3-7 ACCAC) defeated Scottsdale CC 86-80 in overtime in an ACCAC home game at the SMCC Gym on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The Cougars overcame a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that sent the game to the extra frame, outscoring the Fighting Artichokes 18-12 in the period to claim the victory. Five Cougars scored in double-figures, led by 19 from sophomore forward Julius Williams. 

After sophomore Cash Callaway made a free throw with five seconds left to give SMCC a 68-65 lead, SCC called timeout, drove the length of the floor and saw Kenyan Jackman-Thomas drill a corner 3-pointer to tie the game and send it to OT. 

In the extra frame, SMCC built a 74-71 lead after a lay-up from freshman Drew Hoxie with 3:22 to play. Williams then connected on a lay-up, and Callaway made two free throws to extend SMCC's lead to 79-73 with 1:49 to play. 

SCC would get to within two with 11 seconds to play after a pair of free throws, but freshman David Yourkoski calmly drained a pair of free throws with one second left and more Cougar free throws sealed the win. 

SMCC came out strong and built an 11-point lead (24-13) with 8:06 to play in the first half.  SCC fought back through a 17-6 run to close the half and trailed 30-26 at the break. 

Williams was 6 of 10 from the floor in 44 minutes and matched a season high with his 19 points. He added six rebounds and four assists and is averaging 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 17 games. 

Hoxie scored a season-high 17 points on 8 of 14 shooting and added eight rebounds, three blocks, and two assists in 37 minutes. He is averaging 7.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 19 games. 

Callaway also finished with 17 and recorded five rebounds, five assists, and four steals in 38 minutes. The four steals matched a season-high, and he is averaging 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 22 games. 

Freshman McKay Anderson scored an important 11 points off the bench in 29 minutes. He connected on a pair of 3-pointers and added four rebounds, four steals, and two assists. The four steals set a new season-best, and he is averaging 5.0 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 21 games. 

Sophomore Jacob Taylor scored 12 points in 26 minutes before fouling out. He added six rebounds and two steals. 

Sophomore Jayven Driscoll grabbed 10 offensive rebounds, seven of which came on the offensive glass. The performance marked his third time posting double-figure rebounds, and he added six points and an assist before fouling out.