The Pima Community College men’s basketball team (20-5, 12-5 in ACCAC) returned to the West Campus Aztec Gym on Saturday as it hosted Mesa Community College (8-16, 4-13).
· The No. 20 ranked Aztecs defeated the Thunderbirds 78-65 as they pulled away late in the second half. This is the first time the Aztecs have reach 20 wins in a season since the 2018-19 season. The win also gave coach Brian Peabody his 198th career victory as Pima’s head coach.
· Up 60-56 with around four minutes left in the game, the Aztecs hit just their second 3-pointer of the game when freshman Dillan Baker drained it from downtown to put the Aztecs up 63-56 with 3:50 remaining. The Aztecs turned it into a 9-2 run and took a double-digit lead at 69-58 when Baker scored again. Sophomore Cesar Saenz (Sabino HS) and freshman Jaylen Alexander hit free throws to help preserve the lead in the final minute.
· There were four ties and 16 lead changes in the games. The Aztecs were 2 for 17 from three-point range.
· Sophomore Traivar Jackson finished with a game-high 25 points after going 11 for 18 from the field, along with eight rebounds and two blocks. Jackson now sits at 999 career points at Pima.
· Saenz posted 17 points after going 6 for 10 from the floor and 6 for 8 from the free throw stripe. He added four rebounds, five assists and four steals.
· Alexander was 4 for 5 from the field and 7 for 11 from the foul line with 15 points and six rebounds. Baker contributed with 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Aztecs head back out on the road on Wednesday when they play at Arizona Western College. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.