Team in a solid 2nd place in ACCAC at 7-2

The Mesa Thunderbirds shot a blazing 66% from the floor on Saturday, January 14, and needed every bit of that hot shooting to edge a pesky Bears club and Coach Matt Gordon, 92-88 in the MLK Classic night cap.

A 35 of 53 night of shooting for the Thunderbirds would usually mean an easy victory.  Not on this night, however.

Asaad Woods carried the load offensively for Coach Ballard, as the sophomore out of Mountain View hit for 21 points on six of nine from the floor.  Woods also grabbed six boards, six assists, and hit nine of 10 free throws. 

Mesa now moves to 7-2 in the ACCAC, solidly in 2nd place.  Their overall record improves to 13-5.

Three other T'Birds posted double-figures in scoring as Brendan Pineda-Morales poured in 14 on six of nine from the field, Elliot Fletcher tallied 13 on six of seven shooting, and Tylor Wimbish added 11 on five of eight. 

Mesa dominated the glass, which may have proven the difference in this one, 44-27.

Khalfuni Marks nearly posted a double-double on the night with nine points and eight boards.  Marks was four of five from the floor and chipped in with three assists. 

Christian Griggs-Williams added eight points on three of five from the floor, and posted seven rebounds for Mesa as they keep pace in the extremely competitive ACCAC.

The T'Birds hit 20 of their 29 free throw attempts and just two of seven from beyond the arc in the MLK Classic contest. 

Chandler-Gilbert hosted EAZ in the earlier games in the day. 

Ms. Nina Robinson, Associate Dean of Retention and Support Services, was honored by Mesa Athletics Administration for her civic engagement as part of the MLK Classic celebration.

On the PC side, Mr. Frank Amador, was honored for his work at Phoenix College.

The MLK Classic, in its 5th year with a junior college component and ninth overall, has games in Tucson at the McHale Center, at ASU's Wells Fargo Arena, and on the campus of Grand Canyon University.

For the Bears, three players led the way with 22 apiece - Nathan Bohy, Frank Brown, and Christian Bower shot a combined 21 of 44 on the night. 

The Bears were just 27 of 64 overall from the field but the three-point basket kept them in it all night.  PC shooting from beyond the arc was higher than inside the three-point circle (44% to 42%). 

The Bears missed 15 of their 31 free throws but 18 of their 41 threes rippled the twine.  PC now falls to 5-4 in the ACCAC and 13-6 overall as Mesa gave themselves a bit of breathing room, at least with regards to the Bears.

Next up for the Thunderbirds will be a tough matchup on the road at SMCC on Wednesday at 7:30 pm.

South Mountain is 6-2 in ACCAC play and 15-2 overall going into their game in Yuma this evening.