Central Arizona Slips Past SMCC Men's Basketball

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (8-11, 2-7 ACCAC) lost 70-63 at Central Arizona in an Arizona Community College Athletic Conference contest in Coolidge, Ariz., on Jan. 12. Sophomore Elijah Melendez led the Cougars with 15 points and knocked down three 3-pointers, while sophomore Demonte Demore added 11 points and freshman Darien Allen finished with 10.

The Cougars shot 37.5 percent (21-of-56) from the field and 85 percent (17-of-20) from the free-throw line. SMCC grabbed 35 rebounds, dished out 13 assists and recorded four steals against the Vaqueros. South Mountain CC held a 25-23 lead at halftime, but Central Arizona rallied behind a 47-38 second half for the home victory.

Melendez went 6-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from downtown. He added two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 26 minutes of work. Demore was knocked down two field goals and connected on all seven free throws. He also had six rebounds and an assist in 20 minutes.

Allen led the team with seven rebounds and had two assists to go with his 10 points. Sophomore Jalen Smith had a team-high four assists with nine points, three rebounds and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench. Sophomore Shawn Black had eight points, four rebounds, and two blocked shots in 19 minutes.