(Des Moines, IA) The Pima Community College men’s basketball team (28-5) was forced to try overcome a double digit deficit in its NJCAA Division II National Tournament second round game against Des Moines Area Community College but it proved to be too much.
The No. 9 seeded Aztecs fell to the No. 8 seeded Bears 98-74 as Pima moves to the seventh-place consolation bracket. Their next game will be on Thursday at the Mary Miller Center in Danville, IL.
The Aztecs scored just four points in the first six minutes of the game as the Bears took a 23-4 lead. The Aztecs got as close as 14 points on three occasions.
They trailed 40-26 as the Bears closed out the first half going on a 20-9 run in the final 6:40. Pima was down 60-35 at the break.
The Aztecs could not cut into the deficit as they trailed by more than 20 points for the entire second half. Pima outscored the Bears 39-38 for the half.
Freshman Cohenj Gonzales (Mesquite HS) finished with a team-high 18 points as he went 7 for 17 from the field, to go with four rebounds.
Sophomore Dillan Baker (Salpointe Catholic HS) posted 14 points and eight rebounds while freshman Gabe Oldham added 14 points and five rebounds.
Freshman Kota Benson (Mesa HS) was the other Aztec in double figures as he scoredP 10 points on 3 for 4 shooting. Sophomore Jaylen Alexander had eight points and six rebounds.
The Aztecs will play No. 16 seed Hocking College on Thursday in the seventh place consolation bracket. Tipoff is set for 12:00 p.m. (CDT); 10:00 a.m. Tucson time.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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