(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College men’s basketball team (19-3, 11-3 in ACCAC) picked up its fifth straight win on Saturday after taking control in the second half against Scottsdale Community College (9-10, 5-9).
The No. 18 ranked Aztecs used a big second half to break away and beat the Artichokes 103-70 as they outscored Scottsdale 62-36 in the second half.
Up 64-56, sophomore Dillan Baker (Salpointe Catholic HS) hit a three-pointer to get it to a double-digit lead at 67-56 with 10:40 left. Each team hit a free throw and the Artichokes called timeout with the score at 68-57 with 9:10 left.
The Aztecs turned it on as sophomore Jaylen Alexander and freshman Cohenj Gonzales (Mesquite HS) converted on three-point plays that were part of a 22-5 run in almost eight and a half minutes as Pima took a 90-62 lead with 4:30 remaining. Their biggest lead was 33 points at the end of the game.
The game featured a total of 74 free throws. The Aztecs finished the game 33 for 41 (.805) from the foul line. Pima also won the battle under the glass at 62-32.
Alexander finished with a game-high 30 points on 9 for 14 shooting and 12 for 15 from the free throw line. He completed his double-double by added 17 rebounds. Alexander had 15 points and 11 boards after the first half of play.
Gonzales finished the game with 15 points after going 3 for 6 from the field and 9 for 10 from the foul line. Freshman Wes Ball (Marana HS) also added 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench. He was 4 for 5 from the field and 7 for 8 at the line.
Baker closed it out with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. Freshman Kota Benson (Mesa HS) contributed with eight points, seven assists and four rebounds off the bench.
The Aztecs will play at South Mountain Community College on Wednesday in an ACCAC conference game in Phoenix. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez