Cougar Men's Basketball Posts Home Wins over Eastern Arizona, Pima CC

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team posted a pair of Arizona Community College Athletic Conference contests at Cougar Gym. The Cougars defeated Eastern Arizona 92-65 on Feb. 2 and posted a 91-85 victory over Pima CC on Feb. 5. Sophomore Elijah Melendez scored a team-high 20 points against the Gila Monsters, and sophomore Demonte Demore scored a team-high 26 points in the win against the Aztecs.

Eastern Arizona Recap

The Cougars raced out to a 45-27 lead after 20 minutes and won the second half 47-38. SMCC shot a blistering 61.7 percent from the field, 56.5 percent from 3-point range and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Cougars grabbed 28 rebounds, dished out 16 assists and had four steals.

Melendez finished 7-of-11 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point range in 27 minutes. He added one rebound, assist and steal with four free throws.

Freshman Darien Allen scored 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting. He added three rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 20 minutes. Sophomore Isaiah Camon scored 11 points off the bench and connected on all three of his 3-pointers. He added six rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes.

Sophomore Demonte Demore finished with 10 points and four rebounds in 20 minutes, and freshman Cam Gwyn knocked down three 3-pointers off the bench.

Pima CC Recap 

The Cougars posted an impressive 91-85 victory over the visiting Aztecs. Melendez converted a 4-point play with less than 10 seconds left before halftime to give SMCC a 91-85 lead at the break. In the second half, the Cougars started strong and held off a late Pima CC rally to win the frame 42-37.

The Cougars shot 57.4 percent from the field and 45 percent from downtown. They grabbed 42 rebounds, dished out 10 assists and had eight steals in the victory. 

Demore was 10-of-15 from the field and had two 3-pointers in 29 minutes. He added six rebounds, two steals and one block and assist. Melendez went 7-of-12 from the field with four 3-pointers and four free throws. He added two steals and two rebounds in 27 minutes.

Sophomore Jalen Gant scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field in 24 minutes. He added a team-high 10 rebounds and had a block. Allen had 10 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes before fouling out.

Sophomore Abdi Odowaay scored nine points on three 3-pointers and had two assists in 12 minutes off the bench.