Tucson, AZ – Pima Community College men’s basketball team (13-1, 5-1 in ACCAC) opened 2018 with a dramatic come-from-behind victory on Wednesday in Scottsdale.
The No. 6 Aztecs, who trailed the whole game, defeated Scottsdale Community College 101-99 after freshman Jeremiah Bailey collected an offensive rebound and scored with 03.7 seconds left. A final heave for the Artichokes fell short in the end.
The Aztecs trailed by as much as 15 points in the first half and were down 51-42 at halftime. The Aztecs rallied to get within three points at 57-54 early in the second half but the Artichokes went on a 13-2 run to make it 70-57. The Aztecs continued to trail by seven to 11 points for much of the second half.
Down 95-88 with 3:04 left, sophomore Ilunga Moise (Raymond S. Kellis HS) hit a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to five points. Sophomore Keven Biggs (Cienega HS) came up with a block on the defensive end and converted on a three-point play on the next offensive trip to make it 95-93. Scottsdale scored on their next trip but turned the ball over on their next two possessions. The Aztecs took advantage with baskets by Abram Carrasco (Cholla HS) and Biggs to tie it at 97-97 with 1:01 left.
Moise tied the game at 99-99 but missed his free throw. Freshman Elloheim Clark kept it alive with an offensive rebound and Bailey grabbed another offensive rebound before his eventual game-winner.
Sophomore Isaiah Murphy (Cienega HS) scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half. Carrasco also finished the game with 22 points. He was 8 for 9 from the line in the second half and also had five assists and four steals. Biggs contributed with 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Moise scored all 14 of his points in the second half and also had eight rebounds.
The Aztecs will host Cochise College on Saturday at the West Campus Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
PCC 42 59 101
SCC 51 48 99
