Freshman Ryan Schmitt of Van Meter scored 18 points and sophomore Barlow Alleruzzo of Chicago, Ill., recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) men's basketball team defeated Southeast (Neb.) Community College (SENEB), 79-71, December 14 inside the DMACC gymnasium.
The Bears, who improved to 11-2 and are ranked seventh in the most recent Division II poll from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), avenged a 113-110 overtime loss to SENEB Nov. 2 at Columbus, Neb.
Sophomores Demarion Bariffe-Smith of Skokie, Ill., and Zach Lester of Clear Lake and freshman Mark Bradshaw of Chester, Penn., also reached double figures in the win. Bariffe-Smith scored 13 points and Lester and Bradshaw finished with 10 points apiece.
DMACC, which led 37-31 at halftime, shot 44 percent in the win, hitting 26 of 59 field goal attempts. The Bears connecting on five of 20 three-point attempts for 25 percent and made 14 of 20 free throw attempts for 70 percent. The Bears led by as many as 15 points in the second half.
Alleruzzo's 12 rebounds and eight from Schmitt helped DMACC to a 42-36 advantage on the boards. Freshman Willie Guy of Cedar Rapids topped the Bears in assists with eight and Bradshaw and Bariffe-Smith led the way in steals with four and three respectively.
The DMACC men's basketball team will close out the December portion of its schedule Dec. 17 when the Bears host Quakerdale Prep Academy. Game time is 6 p.m. inside the DMACC gymnasium
