Central Arizona College trailed by four at the half (43-39), but Coach Tramaine Aaron stuck to the gameplan and kept the starting-five fresh by using his bench, as the Vaqueros held off South Mountain by a point Saturday evening - winning the contest 80-79, behind a balanced attack.
South Mountain rallied from an early 16-point deficit, but Central was able to hold on late, behind the play of talented 6-foot-5 freshman forward Isaiah Bellamy. Bellamy collected an offensive rebound and a put-back with 3:30 left in the game to put Central Arizona ahead, 74-71.
Strong 6-foot-7 freshman post James Sosinski would then keep South Mountain close with a basket in the paint, 74-73, but Sosinski would then foul out with 3:09 left to play in the contest.
Central's 6-foot-10, 235-pound sophomore post Simon Okulue would then come up big late for CAC. Okulue would score a basket inside with 2 minutes left to play, and then another key inside basket with :14 seconds remainning to put Central ahead by one point, 80-79.
Central would then finish it off - stealing one on the road at South Mountain, 80-79.
Isaiah Bellamy would finish with a team-high 17 points and 6 rebounds in the win, while sophomore wing Karriem Simmons would also finish with 17 points
Central Arizona JC is currently in 5th place in the ACCAC at 4-7 and 11-8 overall.
