(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College men’s basketball team (14-0) won its 14th straight game in dramatic fashion on Sunday in the second day of the Aztec Holiday Classic.
The No. 6 ranked Aztecs defeated Dawson Community College 95-92 in a tug of war contest that featured 15 ties and 27 lead changes. Neither team held a double-digit advantage.
The Aztecs trailed 91-88 with 2:21 left in the game. Sophomore Wes Ball (Marana HS) got a feed under the basket from fellow sophomore Gabe Oldham for the score to cut it to a one-point deficit. With 39.9 seconds left, the Pima defense forced a turnover on the inbounds play.
Ball scored again under the basket after keeping the possession alive with two offensive rebounds to put the Aztecs up 92-91 with 12.5 seconds left.
The Buccaneers drew a foul on sophomore Cohenj Gonzales (Mesquite HS) with 6.8 seconds left. They converted on the first free throw but missed the second attempt. Sophomore Max Majerle (Arcadia HS) collected the defensive board, brought the ball up court and shot a three-pointer at the top of the key that banked into the basket for the score. Dawson called timeout with 0.7 left on the clock. They threw a half court pass on the ensuing inbounds but Gonzales’ defense halted a shot attempt as time expired.
Pima’s biggest lead of the game was 24-17 with 8:02 left in the first half. Dawson’s biggest lead was 55-47 at the 16:32 mark in the second half. Gonzales’ three-pointer capped a 10-2 run to tie the game at 57-57 with 14:22left.
Ball finished the game with a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds. He went 11 for 14 from the field and 5 for 7 from the free throw line.
Gonzales was 7 for 14 from the floor and 4 for 8 from downtown as he posted 19 points along with seven assists.
Freshman Mason Hunt (Bradshaw Mountain HS) had 15 points and four rebounds off the bench.
Majerle closed out the game with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists while sophomore Kota Benson (Mesa HS) added 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Aztecs close out play in the Aztec Holiday Classic on Monday as they face off against No. 4 ranked Salt Lake Community College (Division I). Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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