Glendale CC Defeats SMCC Men's Hoops

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team lost 78-76 at Glendale CC on Dec. 7 in an Arizona Community College Athletic Conference game. Freshman guard Jaylen Wesley led SMCC with 22 points, and sophomore Darien Allen posted 21, but the Gauchos held on for a two-point win after Wesley's last-second attempt came up short. 

SMCC trailed 37-34 at halftime but rallied in the second half to take a lead midway through the frame. Wesley posted a pair of steals and baskets to tie the game at 70 with less than five minutes to play. From there, the teams traded baskets before GCC pulled ahead by two late. On the final possession, the Cougars scrambled, and Wesley fired off a 3-pointer that fell short of the rim at the buzzer. 

Despite the miss, Wesley had a solid game for SMCC. He finished 7-of-12 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line and added four rebounds, four assists and three steals in 31 minutes. 

Allen was 9-of-16 from the field and hit both of his free throws. He tied for the team lead with seven rebounds, led the team with five assists and added three steals in 33 minutes. 

Freshman Jimmy Causey Jr. posted 12 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, and sophomore Abdi Odowaay had nine points, three 3-pointers and two rebounds. Freshman Nahshon Harper had four points, three assists, and three steals. 

SMCC shot 43.8 percent (28-of-64) from the field and 86.7 percent (13-of-15) from the free throw line. The Cougars had 32 rebounds, 17 assists, and 12 steals.