SMCC Men's Basketball Advance to Region I Division II Tournament

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (12-18, 7-11 ACCAC) lost 62-53 to Chandler-Gilbert CC on Sophomore Day in an ACCAC home contest on Saturday, Mar. 1. Sophomore Jacob Taylor led SMCC with 15 points, sophomore Cash Callaway added 14, and Nathan Robinson posted a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) in the final home games of their SMCC careers. Despite the loss, SMCC clinched a postseason berth and is the No. 4 seed for the Region I Division II Tournament. The Cougars will face No.1 seed Pima CC in Tucson at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 5. 

Although SMCC won the second half 32-29, the Coyotes won the first half 33-21, and that deficit was too much to overcome. The Cougars shot 33.9 percent (20 of 59) from the field and added 27 rebounds, 15 assists, 11 steals, and five blocks in the loss. 

Taylor was 6 of 15 from the floor in 28 minutes and added four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 30 games during the regular season. 

Callaway went 5 of 10 from the field, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range, and added four steals, three assists, and three rebounds in 35 minutes. He averaged 18.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.0 rebounds in 30 games during the regular season. 

Robinson recorded his third double-double of the year, producing 12 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes. He also finished with a career-high six blocked shots, two assists, and a steal in the contest. Robinson averaged 6.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 30 regular-season games.

Freshman McKay Anderson finished with eight points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 22 minutes off the bench. Freshman Drew Hoxie added four points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 23 reserve minutes.