(Thatcher, AZ) The Pima Community College men’s basketball team had its 12-game winning streak snapped on Monday at Eastern Arizona College (24-6, 17-2) as it closed out the regular season.
The No. 14 ranked Aztecs fell to the Gila Monsters 94-74 in Thatcher. The Aztecs finished 26-4 overall, which matched their best regular season record in program history set in 2017-18. Their 18-4 record in ACCAC conference play was also their best since the 2017-18 season.
The Gila Monsters led for much of the game and went on a 12-2 run almost midway into the first half to take their first double digit lead at 26-15. The Aztecs trailed 48-37 at halftime.
The Aztecs were behind by double digits for the entire second half. They faced their biggest deficit at that time of 22 points at 78-56 with 8:41 left but to cut into it with a 10-2 run. Freshman Wes Ball’s (Marana HS) basket made it 80-68 with 5:48 remaining but Eastern Arizona scored the next six points to halt the run.
Freshman Gabe Oldham scored a team-high 23 points as he went 11 for 13 from the field. He also grabbed four rebounds.
Sophomore Jaylen Alexander finished with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block while fellow sophomore Dillan Baker (Salpointe Catholic HS) added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Aztecs await the results of Tuesday’s regular season finale between Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Yavapai College. If the Coyotes lose, the Aztecs will be the No. 1 seed. If the Coyotes win, the Aztecs will be the No. 2 seed. Regardless of the outcome, the Aztecs will host a NJCAA Region I, Division II Semifinal game on Thursday at the West Campus Aztec Gymnasium. Tipoff will be at 7:30 p.m.
PCC 37 37 74
EAC 48 46 94
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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