(Hickory, NC) The Pima Community College women’s basketball team (4-4) stayed alive in the Consolation Bracket of the NJCAA Division II National Tournament on Thursday in Hickory, NC.
The No. 9 seeded Aztecs overcame 26 turnovers as they bounced back to defeat No. 16 seeded North Platte Community College (Neb.) 69-58.
Up 26-24 at halftime, the Aztecs turned to sophomore Fama Thiam (Highland HS) and freshman Jaslyn Booker (Buena HS) as they combined to score Pima’s first 12 points of the third quarter. The Aztecs went on a 12-4 run to take their first double digit lead of the game at 38-28 with 4:57 left in the quarter. Freshman Luisayde Chavez (Rio Rico HS) scored on back-to-back possessions to increase the lead to 42-28 with 3:15 left. The Aztecs led 47-38 at the end of the quarter.
Thiam hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth and Booker scored under the basket to make it 52-39. The Knights cut Pima’s lead to single digits at 59-50 with 3:30 left but sophomore Sierra Mich’l scored a bucket and sophomore Aaliyah Ortiz (Palo Verde HS) hit a pair of free throws to help the Aztecs maintain a double digit advantage.
Thiam scored 11 of her 15 points in the second half as she added six assists and two steals. Mich’l dropped 10 of her 15 points in the second half to go along with nine rebounds and three blocks.
Ortiz had seven points and seven assists while Chavez posted seven points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sophomore Nikya Orange (Tanque Verde HS) had five points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Freshman Angel Addleman (Palo Verde HS) added seven points and Booker had six points off the bench.
“Coach’s Quote: “Any win at Nationals is a good win. We weren’t pretty, but we were gritty,” Pima women’s basketball coach Todd Holthaus said. “We often time look like a team that’s only played eight games. However, these ladies earned their opportunity and we get to play again tomorrow. All we can ask for.”
The Aztecs fell in their opening round game on Tuesday against No. 8 Illinois Central College 77-67.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Athletics – Raymond Suarez
