Second-Half Surge Lifts SMCC Men's Hoops to Road Win at GCC

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (9-1, 2-0 ACCAC Division II) defeated Glendale CC 78-64 in an ACCAC Division II road contest on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Trailing by six at halftime, the Cougars mounted a furious rally early in the second half to tie the game, sustaining that productivity throughout the period to put away the Gauchos. Freshman Travis Vasquez led SMCC with 19 points and tied a season high with five 3-pointers, while freshman Gak Kueth registered his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds. 

The Gauchos held a 34-28 advantage after 20 minutes of work, but SMCC erased that lead quickly in the second half. Freshman I'yar Shadowvine scored eight-straight points for the Cougars at one point and, after some missed free throws tightened the score and brought GCC back to within a basket, SMCC reestablished itself through Vasquez, Kueth, and a host of others to post the 14-point victory. 

SMCC finished the game at 40.8 percent (29 of 71) shooting from the field and 33.3 percent (9 of 27) from 3-point range. The Cougars added 37 rebounds, 16 assists, four steals, and just four turnovers in the road win. 

"Our guys did a solid job defensively. That is a really tough place to play, and Glendale plays incredibly fast. They came out and punched us in the mouth to start the game, so I am proud of our guys not folding and answering the bell," said SMCC head coach Cory Hoff. "They stayed composed and forced GCC to play our game. Gak was a monster on the glass and finished with a double-double. Devone had his best performance in a Cougar uniform. Road wins are hard to earn, especially in ACCAC play. We've got a lot to work on, but we are excited to do it at home in the Cougar Den in front of our fans on Saturday!"

Vasquez was an efficient 7 of 10 from the floor and 5 of 7 from downtown in 33 minutes. He also recorded five assists, tying Shadowvine for the team lead, and two rebounds. 

Kueth went 5 of 8 from the field and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line to set a new season best with 14 points in 23 minutes. The 12 boards also represented a new season high, and six of those came on the offensive end. 

Shadowvine was third on the team with 16 points, knocking down three 3-pointers in 39 minutes. He set a new season high with seven rebounds, dished out five assists, and did not commit a turnover. 

Freshman Devone Pless was the fourth Cougar in double-figures, scoring 12 points in 19 minutes off the bench. He added four rebounds and an assist. 

Sophomore Blake Carabio had eight points in 17 reserve minutes, and freshman Jadden Jones recorded six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 36 minutes.