Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Phoenix College
The Official Athletics Website of The Phoenix College Bears

Bears Roll to Third Straight Win With Second-Half Surge

Bears Roll to Third Straight Win With Second-Half Surge
Posted: Jan 06, 2026

The Phoenix College Bears continued their strong start to 2026, pulling away in the second half for an 85–61 victory over Community Christian College at Phoenix College. After a competitive first half, the Bears flipped the switch after the break, outscoring CCC 52–24 to secure their third consecutive win.

Phoenix College trailed 37–33 at halftime, but the momentum quickly shifted as the Bears increased defensive pressure and found their rhythm offensively. The result was one of their most complete halves of the season.

Balanced Scoring Leads the Way

Damion Byrd II once again led the Bears, finishing with 23 points, including five three-pointers. The sophomore guard also added 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, continuing his run as the team's leading scorer and primary playmaker.

AJ Ajawin delivered an efficient all-around performance, scoring 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting while contributing 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks in just 24 minutes. His energy on both ends helped spark the second-half turnaround.

Key Contributions Across the Lineup

Phoenix College received strong support throughout the rotation:

  • Jamison Turner chipped in 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc.

  • Alijah Greer provided a spark off the bench with 15 points and 4 steals.

  • Trystan Williams added toughness inside, finishing with 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks.

As a team, the Bears shot an impressive 50.7% from the field and 45.2% from three-point range, while forcing 20 turnovers that led to transition opportunities and extended runs.

Momentum Building

With the win, Phoenix College improved to 8–9 on the season and continued to build confidence heading deeper into conference play. The Bears' ability to respond after halftime, paired with consistent leadership from Byrd and Ajawin, has fueled their recent surge.

Phoenix College heads to Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Saturday for a 4:00 PM road matchup, looking to secure its first conference win after starting 0–5 in league play. The Bears face a CGCC team that is 8–7 overall and 0–4 in conference, setting up a key opportunity for both teams to break through.