SMCC Men's Basketball Falls to Williston State, Gillette College

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (7-8) lost twice in a pair of non-conference home contests before the holiday break, falling 87-79 to Williston State College on Dec. 20 and 87-68 to Gillette College on Dec. 21. Freshmen Jayden Potts and David Jackson led the Cougars with 23 points apiece in the loss to the Tetons, while three had 12 points each in the loss to the Pronghorns. 

Williston State Recap

The Cougars trailed 44-31 at the half but won the second 48-43, ultimately falling 87-79 on Friday, Dec. 20, at the SMCC Gym. SMCC shot 42.6 percent (29 of 68) from the field and added 38 rebounds, 15 assists, four blocks, and 10 steals in the loss. 

Potts was 11 of 18 from the floor in 32 minutes. He added five rebounds, four steals, and two assists to his 23 points. 

Jackson was 6 of 10 from the field and 4 of 6 from 3-point range in 18 minutes off the bench. He was also 7 of 11 from the free-throw line and added three rebounds, three assists, and a steal. 

Sophomore Nathan Robinson scored 10 points off the bench and knocked down three 3-pointers. He added three rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes. 

Sophomores Cash Callaway and Jacob Taylor scored six points each. Callaway had three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Taylor had two rebounds and an assist. 

Sophomore Julius Williams led SMCC with nine rebounds and added four points and five assists before fouling out in 32 minutes. Freshman McKay Anderson had three points, three assists, two blocks, two rebounds, and one steal in 19 minutes. 

Gillette College Recap 

At halftime, the Pronghorns took a 45-30 lead into the locker room and won the second half 42-38 en route to the 87-68 victory over the Cougars. SMCC shot 37.3 percent (25 of 67) from the field and added 39 rebounds, 15 assists, five blocks, and five steals in defeat. 

Jackson, Callaway, and freshman Drew Hoxie led the Cougars with 12 points. Hoxie also had a team-high seven rebounds, four of which were offensive boards, and posted two assists and two blocks in 26 minutes. 

Callaway knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and added five rebounds, three steals, and one assist to his 12 points in 18 minutes. Jackson was 5 of 12 from the floor, connected on two 3-pointers, and had one rebound, assist, and steal in 22 minutes. 

Freshman David Yourkoski was the fourth Cougar to finish in double-figures, scoring a season-high 10 points in 16 minutes off the bench. He added three rebounds and one 3-pointer. 

Sophomore Jayven Driscoll had six rebounds and two points, and Williams posted five rebounds and three assists. Robinson posted nine points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal in 19 minutes. Freshman Brandon Mangahas posted six points, three assists, and two rebounds in 14 minutes.