(Danville, IL) The Pima Community College men’s basketball team (33-0) opened play in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament with a statement win on Tuesday against Davidson-Davie Community College (NC).
The No. 4 seeded Aztecs defeated the No. 13 Storm 108-80 to advance to the National Quarterfinals (Elite Eight). Pima will play on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. (CDT); 3:00 p.m. Tucson time.
The Aztecs took an 18-10 lead after sophomore Mason Hunt’s three-pointer, but the Storm (28-7) went on a 15-4 run in the next five minutes to take the lead at 25-22. Hunt tied the game with a three-pointer, which sparked an 18-0 run for Pima. Hunt scored the first nine points of the run as the Aztecs went up 40-25 with 5:03 left in the half.
Sophomore Brock Mendoza had a stretch of scoring seven straight points during the first half and freshman Rowan McKenzie (Boulder Creek HS) gave them their biggest lead of the half as Pima led 60-39 at the break.
The Aztecs maintained their double digit advantage and took their biggest lead of the game at 34 points after Mendoza’s score made it 105-71.
“It feels good to be back in Danville, I’ve been here a few times and we’re just glad to get the first win,” Mendoza said. “(The competition) is more intense and more physical. It’s a bigger stage and we know what’s at stake, but that’s what makes it more fun.”
Hunt finished with a game-high 30 points on 11-for-16 shooting, 5-for-8 from three-point range and 3-for-3 from the free throw line. He also had three rebounds, two assists and one block.
Mendoza posted 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting with eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals.
Freshman Isaiah Hill (Premier Prep Academy) closed out the game with 18 points, eight assists, three steals and two rebounds. He was 6-for-10 from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.
McKenzie added 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting while freshman Will Feagles (Notre Dame Prep) scored 11 points.
Sophomore Isaac Johnson contributed with nine points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Aztecs shot 54.7 percent (41-for-75) from the field, 44.1 percent (15-for-34) from downtown and 73.3 percent (11-for-15) from the free throw line.
The Aztecs halted Davidson-Davie’s six-game winning streak. They had beaten the Storm 86-82 in last year’s National Quarterfinal round.
The Aztecs will play No. 5 seeded Iowa Central College on Thursday in the Elite Eight. Tip-off is set at 5:00 p.m. (CDT); 3:00 p.m. (MST) time.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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