(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College women’s basketball team (24-5, 15-3 in ACCAC) closed out the regular season on a strong note as it hosted Scottsdale Community College (17-9, 13-5) in a game that determined the No. 2 seed for the Region I, Division II Tournament.
The No. 9 ranked Aztecs maintained a lead for much of the game as they prevailed over the No. 25 ranked Artichokes 70-62 for their seventh straight win. The Aztecs closed out ACCAC conference with double digit wins for the 16th straight year (excluding the 2020-21 covid season).
They will be the No. 2 seed for the Region Tournament and will play the No. 3 seeded Artichokes for a fourth time this season in the semifinal round.
Up 67-62 with 47 seconds left, the Aztecs turned the ball over, but the defense forced a missed shot. The Artichokes collected the offensive rebound and called timeout to regroup. They turned the ball over on the ensuing possession and sophomore Rori Hoffmeyer (Cibola HS) collected the steal. She was fouled and converted on one of two free throws to make it 68-62 with 17.3 seconds left.
The Aztecs got another defensive board as time ticked down and freshman Kiley Sours-Miller hit both foul shots to seal the game with 1.7 seconds left.
The Aztecs went on an 8-0 run in the first quarter with baskets from Sours-Miller and a three-pointer from sophomore Mattanaya Vital (Amphitheater HS) as they took a 17-12 lead heading into the second quarter. The Aztecs led 30-27 at halftime.
The Aztecs took their biggest lead of the game at 42-33 with 4:19 left in the third quarter but the Artichokes kept it close as Pima led 50-47 entering the final 10 minutes. Freshman Kennedi Niemann hit a three-pointer and a jumper to keep the Aztecs ahead at 65-58 as Scottsdale cut it to a five-point margin but could not close the gap any further.
Sours-Miller produced her 14th double-double of the season as she scored 24 of her season-high 34 points in the second half. She also added 14 rebounds (six offensive) with two blocks. She went 16 for 28 from the field.
Niemann scored nine points while freshman Melicia Nelson (Window Rock HS) added eight points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. She was 3 for 3 shooting.
Vital contributed with seven points and Hoffmeyer had five points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Aztecs recognized sophomores Amelie Buffill-Gutierrez (Sabino HS), Katie Burns (Catalina Foothills HS), Tayden Hanks, Annalise Holthaus (Ironwood Ridge HS), Reece Niemann, Kennedi Niemann, Rori Hoffmeyer (Cibola HS), Gabriella Sanchez (Tucson Magnet HS), Mattanaya Vital (Amphitheater HS) and Team Manager Alexia Lopez before the game.
The No. 2 seeded Aztecs and the No. 3 Artichokes will lock up once more on Thursday in the Region I, Division II Tournament Semifinals. The game will take place at the West Campus Aztec Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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