(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College men’s basketball team (19-5, 11-5 in ACCAC) got back in the win column on Wednesday at South Mountain Community College (12-13, 4-13).
The No. 20 ranked Aztecs defeated the Cougars 61-60 snapping their four-game road losing streak.
Trailing 59-57, the Aztecs tied the game when freshman Dillan Baker (Salpointe Catholic HS) collected an offensive rebound and scored in the paint with 57.4 seconds left.
The Cougars were fouled and put at the line but converted on 1 for 2 free throws with 31.0 seconds remaining to go back up by one point. Sophomore Cesar Saenz (Sabino HS) drove to the basket and scored in the paint putting the Aztecs back up with 20 seconds on the clock.
Both teams called timeout with 1.4 seconds left. The Cougars went to Darien Allen, who was open for a three-pointer but his shot hit the front of the rim as time expired.
There were eight lead changes in the second half; six occurred in the first seven minutes of the second half.
Sophomore Pablo Gutierrez (Sabino HS) hit a pair of free throws and scored on the next trip down the floor giving Pima their biggest lead at 48-43 with 7:33 left in the game. The Cougars led by four points in the first half on a couple of occasions, which turned out to be their biggest lead of the game.
Saenz scored a team-high 14 points along with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Baker fell short of a double-double as he finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Traivar Jackson also scored in double figures as he posted 10 points and six rebounds. Freshman Jaylen Alexander contributed with eight points and eight rebounds.
The Aztecs will return to the West Campus Aztec Gymnasium on Saturday when they host Mesa Community College. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.
PCC 34 27 61
SMCC 32 28 60
Press Release courtesy of Pima Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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