by PHOENIX — Freshman Jamie Pierce scored a game-high 21 points in her collegiate debut as South Mountain Community College beat Park-Gilbert (JV) 65-32 on Saturday in the Cougars’ season opener at the SMCC Gym. Pierce added nine rebounds, one shy of a double-double, in 27 minutes.
Pierce shot 7-of-16 from the field and made three 3-pointers, adding five offensive rebounds, one steal, one assist and one block.
South Mountain jumped out to a 24-2 lead after the first quarter, with Pierce scoring 12 points including a pair of 3-pointers. The Cougars won the second quarter 15-7 to lead 39-9 at halftime, and held Park-Gilbert to just 14 points through three quarters.
Freshman Ceraya Grace-Bandy added 11 points and five rebounds, sophomore Jaya Harris grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds, and freshman Chanel Yellowman scored all nine of her points in the fourth quarter off the bench. Freshman Aubrey Dodson led the Cougars with six steals.
South Mountain shot 31.2 percent from the field but forced 36 Buccaneer turnovers, turning them into 28 points, and grabbed 61 rebounds with 22 on the offensive glass.
The Cougars open 1-0. South Mountain plays at Yavapai College on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. MT / 3 p.m. CT in Prescott, Ariz.
