As the only Division II team with a winning record in the ACCAC, the South Mountain Community College men's basketball team figured to capture the NJCAA Region I Division II Tournament.

Behind 34 points from Tyrone Kelley, 17 from B.J. Dotson and some clutch shooting out of freshman Chris Rizzo, the Cougars pulled out a tense 81-75 overtime victory over visiting Phoenix College in overtime.

Next up is the 12-team NJCAA Div.II Men's Basketball Championship Tournament in Danville, Illinois that starts March 19.

The tournament appearance will not be SMCC's first postseason appearance, but it is its first at the national tournament. Head coach Dan Nichols guided the Cougars to a regional tournament in 2005.

This is what we played for all season, said Kelley, the Cougars poised go-to guy and an All-ACCAC 2nd Team member.

WHEW--THAT WAS CLOSE

The Cougars have been on the road to Danville, Illinois all season, but the road got mighty bumpy during Saturday nights final leg.

The Cougars limited PC to 4-of-18 shooting (22 percent) from the floor while Kelley hit 3 of 8 field-goal tries and all six free throws for 13 points in leading SMCC to a commanding 37-20 lead at the half.

PC's Justin Salzwedel, scoreless in the first half, then hit three
consecutive 3-point shots early in the second half on the way to his six 3-point shots in a brilliant shooting display that pulled PC back into the game.

His fifth 3-point shot pulled PC to within 59-58 with 2:45 to play in regulation. His sixth tied the game at 64-all with 25 seconds to play.

After PC gained possession underneath the SMCC basket with 4.8 seconds remaining, PC guard Stevie Ledesma took the in-bounds feed and dribbled to the 3-point line. His shot hit the back of the rim and fell out.

The game went into overtime.

Rizzo, who logged over 20 minutes of playing time in part because of an injury to Roy Prieto, nailed his fourth 3-pointer at the start of overtime for a 67-64 lead.

"I thought Rizzo's shots were huge," Nichols said. "He stepped up big."

Rizzo, who figures be a leader on next year's team, hit 4 of 5 3s for 12 points.

"After I hit a couple I just let them fly," he said.

Dave Cuen, battling foul trouble the entire game, hit a free throw and followed that with a basket. Dotson then converted from inside and the Cougars opened a 77-70 lead.

Freddie Franco, unable to start because of an injured ankle, iced the game with a pair of free throws.

Cuen was one of seven Cougars that played in last year's region title game when PC battled back from a late seven-point deficit to win, 55-54.

"This feels awesome," Cuen said. "We got our redemption this year."