(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College men’s basketball team (12-1) went undefeated in the Aztec Holiday Classic as it finished up on Saturday at the West Campus Aztec Gymnasium.
The No. 14 ranked Aztecs defeated McLennan Community College 83-80 to go 3-0 against NJCAA Division I teams.
With the game tied at 78-78 with 1:13 left, sophomore Jaylen Alexander kicked it out to fellow sophomore Dillan Baker (Salpointe Catholic HS), who drained a three-pointer with 49.7 seconds left. The Highlanders scored with 10 seconds on the clock and fouled Baker. He went on to hit two free throws with 5.2 seconds left.
McLennan’s Nick Shogbonyo was fouled at the top of the three-point line with 0.3 seconds left. He averaged 87 percent from the free throw line and missed all three attempts as time expired.
The Highlanders took their biggest lead of the game in the first half at 41-36 but Baker hit a three-pointer to cut it to 41-39 at the break.
After going 1 for 7 in the first half, freshman Cohnej Gonzales (Mesquite HS) found his range in the second half. He hit his third three-pointer of the half to give the Aztecs their biggest lead at 63-53. He went 4 for 7 from beyond the arc in the second half. The Aztecs held a 10-point lead again at 74-64 after a basket by Baker with 6:03 remaining but the Highlanders went on a 14-4 run to tie it.
Baker finished with 17 points along with three rebounds while Alexander also posted 17 points on 7 for 10 shooting. He also had four rebounds and three assists. Gonzales closed out the game with 14 points.
Sophomore Zach Williamson established himself on the glass early in the game and finished with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Sophomore Tanner Poeschl scored nine of his 11 points in the second half. He also had seven rebounds off the bench.
Freshman Gabe Oldham was also a force on the glass as he had five points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
The Aztecs get back to ACCAC conference play on Wednesday when they play at Scottsdale Community College. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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