The Pima Community College women’s basketball team (11-3, 4-2 in ACCAC) started out slow but stepped up the intensity between the second and third quarters to beat South Mountain Community College (5-7, 1-6) at the West Campus Aztec Gym.
· The No. 10 ranked Aztecs defeated the Cougars 63-45 earning their fifth straight win.
· The Aztecs trailed early but closed out the first quarter on a 10-2 run to tie it at 12-12.
· The Aztecs found themselves down 19-16 with 4:25 left in the second quarter but went on a 10-0 run close out the half taking a 26-19 into the locker room.
· Pima continued the surge in the third quarter as sophomore Priscila Varela (Mesquite HS) started it out converting on a three-point play to make it 29-19. The Aztecs made five of their first six shots in the third quarter and turned it into a 21-2 run to take a 37-21 lead.
· The Aztecs never surrendered their double-digit advantage in the second half.
· Sophomore Luisa Chavez (Rio Rico HS) finished with a game-high 23 points on 7 for 15 shooting and was 7 for 7 from the free throw line.
· Sophomore Angel Addleman (Palo Verde HS) went 4 for 8 from the field and had 10 points along with six rebounds, five assists and five steals.
· Varela contributed with nine points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
· The Aztecs out-rebounded the Cougars 49-37 for the game. Sophomore Matehya Aberle (Holbrook HS) was a forced on the glass finishing with 13 rebounds.
The Aztecs face a tough road test on Saturday when they play at No. 6 ranked Mesa Community College. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.