AWC men find 3-point range vs. Yavapai

For a team that struggled mightily to beat a zone less than a week ago, the Arizona Western men's basketball team looked comfortable dishing out the same defense on Yavapai.
 
The Matadors also dropped in 12 3-pointers on the Roughriders' zone and managed to get by on an off night from Andre Almeida to win their conference opener 81-60  Wednesday night at The House.
 
"When the first (3-pointer) goes in everybody feels like they can hit one too," AWC coach Kelly Green said. "We're a different team when he's (Almeida) not in the game, and we have to learn how to play when he's not in the game."
 
AWC (3-1, 1-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) hit eight treys in the first half to keep pace with Yavapai (0-4, 0-1 ACCAC) and grabbed a double-digit lead as driving lanes opened up on their end and remained shut for the Roughriders.
 
"I think we'll mix it up with man and zone," AWC sophomore Zac Downing said. " We're really long so when we play zone right it can be really effective, but there will be nights where we go man and we'll have to be effective too."
 
Downing had four 3-pointers and a game-high 15 points to lead the AWC and was one of six different Matadors to bury one from long range. D'Angelo Scott had 12 points, and Jason Smeathers and Mitrell Clark added 11 each.
 
"I just get ready because I know I'm going to have a lot of opportunities," Downing said of facing the zone. "Once you hit that first one, it gets you going."
 
Yavapai had a five-point lead in the first half with a trio of early 3s, but failed to drain one in the second half until the 6-minute mark. The Roughriders made it a nine-point game with 6 minutes to play, but watched their deficit climb back to 15 after 3s from Downing and Chris Solomon.

Yavapai was also dealt an early blow when starting point guard Lacy Haddock left the game clutching a knee already wrapped in a brace. Ali Sabra had 14 points to lead the Roughriders and Colin Borchert had 11.
 
"We're not as aggressive with it (zone) as we were on Friday (vs. Howard), but it gives us another look," Green said.
 
Almeida was practically invisible in the first half, blocking two shots but only attempting only two shots himself, both misses. The Nebraska-bound center scored the Matadors' first points of the second half before picking up three fouls over the next five minutes. He took a shot to the eye soon after getting back in the game and had to head back to the bench for a short while, but made his return known with a dunk and finished with six points and 12 rebounds.
 
"Andre was too unselfish with the ball inside at times and wanted to pass it out too much," Green said. "But the rest of the guys got open shots because they (Yavapai) we're too aware of Andre."
 
AWC continues play at 4 p.m. Saturday in Tucson against Pima.