Glendale Junior College (7-6, 4-6) looked to be one of my favorites this season to compete for the ACCAC Conference title when the season began, but second-year head coach Damin Lopez and his team has had their struggles early in the season - looking to gain a team identity and develop a sense of commitment level to the game. After some early season struggles, Lopez and his staff are now headed in the right direction and gaining some steam.
As winners of their last 3 games on the season and currently one of the hottest teams in the ACCAC, Glendale would explode on Saturday evening on their home floor with a big 103-86 victory over defending conference champion - Central Arizona Junior College (CAC).
In the win, the Gauchos would use a big second half to blow the game wide open - outscoring Central 66 to 47 in the game's second half. Glendale led at halftime by 5 points - 44-39.
Glendale would get another strong performance for the conference's leading scorer, 6-foot-5 sophomore guard/forward Ronald March. March would pour in an impressive game-high 37 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds in the win. March is currently leading the conference in scoring - averaging better than 25+ points per/game on the season.
Glendale would also get 23 big points from 6-foot sophomore guard Michael Barry in the win including 7 straight three-pointers in the game's second half. 6-foot-9 sophomore post Jordan Didier would contribute 19 points and 4 rebounds as well. Much of the reason for Glendale's recent success has come from the emergence of consistent play from Didier. In Glendale's 3 consecutive wins, Didier has posted strong numbers.
While they struggled early, Glendale remains currently in second place among Division-II programs in the conference - behind Phoenix College. Glendale will travel to Pima JC on Wednesday (1/15) then face Phoenix College on the Bears' home floor in a big match-up next Saturday evening (1/18).
ACCAC Notes: Arizona Western Junior College (15-3, 9-1) and Mesa Junior College (13-3, 9-1) are now both tied for the conference lead in the ACCAC this season, after AZ Western defeated Mesa this week on their home floor in narrow fashion, 75-74. Mesa had held the conference lead for sometime before the loss.
