(Chandler, AZ) The Pima Community College men’s basketball team (26-0, 14-0 in ACCAC) locked up the No. 1 seed for the Region I, Division II Tournament on Wednesday at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (15-11, 8-6).
The No. 2 ranked Aztecs outscored the Coyotes by double digits in both halves in their 73-49 win for their 26thstraight victory. The Aztecs beat the Coyotes 78-56 in Chandler on Nov. 23 and won the second matchup 95-55 at the Aztec Gym on Jan. 18.
The Aztecs and the Coyotes came into Wednesday’s contest as the top two teams in the ACCAC Division II standings. The Aztecs hold a six-game lead with four regular season games remaining.
With the score tied at 17-17, the Aztecs outscored Chandler-Gilbert 18-6 in the final 8:37 of the first half. Sophomore Cohenj Gonzales (Mesquite HS) scored the first five points to give Pima the lead back and fellow sophomore Wes Ball (Marana HS) scored six straight points during that stretch. Freshman Brigg Wolfe (Mesa Mountain View HS) scored the final basket of the half to give Pima a 35-23 lead.
The Coyotes cut Pima’s lead to 51-40 with 8:11 left but Gonzales hit a three-pointer to halt their momentum. Sophomore Max Majerle (Arcadia HS) and Ball converted on three-point plays to cap a 13-1 run as the Aztecs went up 64-41 with 5:34 remaining. Pima’s biggest lead was 24 points.
Gonzales finished with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds to go along with four assists, two steals and one block. He was 7 for 13 from the field and 4 for 8 from three-point range.
Ball was the only other Aztec in double figures as he scored 15 points on 6 for 8 shooting and added five rebounds.
Sophomore Gabe Oldham fell short of a double-double as he posted nine points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Mason Hunt (Bradshaw Mountain HS) contributed with nine points and seven rebounds off the bench.
The Aztecs are back at the West Campus Aztec Gymnasium on Saturday when they host South Mountain Community College. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
PCC 35 38 73
CGCC 23 26 49
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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