CLAREMONT, Calif. (Dec. 7, 2024) – Senior guard
Aamari Smith (Decatur, Ga. / Roosevelt / San Bernardino Valley College) continued to make a case as one of the SCIAC's best players, this time against one of the SCIAC's top teams in Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges.
Though the Poets came up short, Smith led with 25 of his team's 71 points. He went 9-of-19 from the field and got his teammates involved with a team-best four assists. Contending with one of the deepest, most experienced rosters in the SCIAC, the Poets assisted on half their field goals and knocked down eight three pointers, but found it tough sledding against the Stags' superior size.
Even in defeat, the Poets were able to take care of the basketball. In committing just four turnovers, the Poets tied a program record against NCAA teams, making Saturday the second time they have played in a game with historical statistical significance. Senior guard
Morgan Cox (Lawton, Okla. / Velma-Alma / Simpson University) supplemented Smith in the scoring department as the only other Poet to reach double-figures against the Stags.
Head Coach Mark Jensen and the Poets should have an easier time when they rematch West Coast Baptist College on the road on Saturday, Dec. 14 before heading out of state.
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