SMCC Women's Hoops Defeats Phoenix College

PHOENIX ---

Freshman Janae Byrd scored 20 points, and three other Cougars finished in double-figures as the South Mountain Community College women's basketball team defeated Phoenix College 82-65 in an ACCAC contest on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the SMCC Gym. Sophomore Hailey Connor posted 16 points, freshman Mimi Miller added 14, and freshman Valery Velazquez recorded 12 as the Cougars posted their first win of the season. 

Tied at 12-12 after 10 minutes, SMCC won the second quarter 28-20 to take a 40-32 advantage into halftime. The Cougars shot a blistering 12 of 17 (70.6 percent) from the field in the frame, including 10 of 13 on two-point field goals. 

SMCC extended its lead with a 25-19 third quarter and then won the fourth period 17-14. The Cougars controlled the glass all game, out-rebounding the Bears 58-30. SMCC grabbed 24 offensive rebounds that resulted in 18 second-chance points and finished with a 46-20 advantage in points in the paint. 

Byrd came off the bench to finish 7 of 19 from the field and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line in 35 minutes. Seven of her game-high 13 rebounds came on the offensive glass, and she also added a team-best five assists and four steals. 

Connor finished 6 of 10 from the floor and 4 of 6 from the charity stripe in 29 minutes. She added three rebounds and two assists. 

Miller was 6 of 9 from the field and added eight rebounds, four of which were of the offensive variety, and three steals in 29 minutes. 

Velazquez connected on both of her 3-point attempts and finished 4 of 7 from the field in 30 minutes. She set a new career high with four assists and added four rebounds and two steals. 

Freshman Chloe Wiley posted seven points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 28 minutes, and sophomore Miriam Traore recorded seven points, 10 rebounds, one block, and one steal in 19 minutes. Freshman Carissa Collier added four points, eight rebounds, and one steal in 23 minutes before fouling out.