SMCC Women’s Basketball Splits Pair of ACCAC Match-Ups

The South Mountain Women's basketball team (11-12) split a pair of Arizona Community College Athletic Conference contests last week. The Cougars posted a thrilling 81-78 overtime victory over Arizona Western on Feb. 12. Three days later, SMCC suffered a 97-68 loss at Pima Community College.

Despite trailing 63-48 late in the third quarter, the Cougars pulled off an incredible comeback to defeat the Matadors. As a team, South Mountain Community College shot 46.9 percent (30 of 64) from the field and 75 percent (15 of 20) from the free-throw line.

Freshman Prima Chellis had a sensational game for SMCC, finishing with 31 points, 16 rebounds and seven steals. She was 11 of 19 from the field and 8 of 11 from the free-throw line, and added two assists and two blocks. Over her past five games, Chellis is averaging 27.2 points per game and 11.8 rebounds on 44.3 percent shooting.

Sophomore Hallie Price recorded 18 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field. She added four rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal. Fellow sophomore Arianna Sanders came off the bench to knock down four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points.

Sophomore Christina Willis added nine points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Cougars forced 19 Matador turnovers and recorded 12 steals.

On Feb. 15, the Cougars lost 97-68 at Pima Community College. SMCC shot 33.3 percent (26 of 78) from the field in the loss, and the Cougars forced 21 Aztec turnovers.

Chellis led the Cougars with 24 points on 7 of 21 shooting from the field and 10 of 16 from the free-throw line. She also recorded five rebounds, three steals and an assist in 26 minutes of work.

Willis matched her season-high with 16 points, shooting 7 of 16 from the field. She added five steals, three assists and two rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Freshman Makala Norman finished with eight points on 4 of 6 shooting in 22 minutes.

Sophomore Jalisa Jackson produced seven points and four rebounds in 16 minutes.

The Cougars hit the road for their next game, a Feb. 19 game against Cochise College at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 22, SMCC hosts Tohono O'odham Community College in 2 p.m. contest.