SMCC Men's Basketball Falls to Arizona Western

PHOENIX --- 

Sophomore Demonte Demore scored 20 points, and freshman Darien Allen added 15, but the South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (8-10, 2-6 ACCAC) lost 65-52 to Arizona Western College on Saturday, Jan. 8 at Cougar Gym in an Arizona Community College Athletic Conference contest.

At the end of the first half, the Matadors used a big run to take a 31-14 lead into halftime. In the second half, SMCC outscored AWC 38-34 but could not overcome the deficit. SMCC shot 31.6 percent from the field and had four 3-pointers and 12 free throws. The Cougars grabbed 39 rebounds, dished out 13 assists and had seven steals in the loss.

Demore finished 5-of-13 from the field and knocked down nine free throws in 29 minutes of action. He added 11 rebounds for his third double-double this season and is averaging 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in 18 contests this season.

Allen came off the bench to finish 6-of-10 from the field with a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws. He added eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 28 minutes of work. For the season, Allen is averaging 15.8 points and 6.2 rebounds in 18 games this season.

Sophomore Kane Kenyon scored seven points and knocked down a 3-pointer, and sophomore Jalen Smith added four points, two rebounds and a team-high seven assists in 15 minutes off the bench. Sophomore Angel Villa had five rebounds, and sophomore Jalen Gant had four boards.