Online Extra: Women’s basketball pushes Central Arizona to the limit

By James Kelley and Eric Townsend

The Pima Community College women’s basketball team’s bid for a historic win came up just short.

The No. 11 Aztecs (18-7, 13-4 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) hosted super power No. 8 Central Arizona College on Feb. 10 seeking to snap the Vaqueras’ 144 ACCAC game win streak but came up short, falling 75-72.

Central led most of the game, by as much as 13, but Pima’s furious rally cut the lead to one with nine seconds left. CAC was able to sink their free throws and the Aztecs’ final three-point try by sophomore guard Nene Villalobos fell short.

Two-time reigning ACCAC player of the week sophomore forward Tia Morrison led all scorers with 19 and pulled down 13 rebounds. Sophomore guard Abyee Maracigan added 16 points while sophomore guard Jessica Jones scored 13.

Pima gave Central Arizona a run for its money earlier in the season, also losing by three points.

Central, defending Division I national champions, and Pima are the top two teams in the conference.

In Division II, the Aztecs are the leader at 18-6. They currently hold a two-game lead over Scottsdale Community College with five games remaining in the regular season.

After steamrolling past Eastern Arizona College for a 102-36 win on Feb. 3, the Aztecs had a downfall at Scottsdale Feb. 6.

The Fighting Artichokes handily beat Pima, 69-52. Morrison scored 25 points and pulled in 17 rebounds.

“We were out of sync and we never got in a rhythm,” head coach Todd Holthaus said. “We just didn’t shoot well and Scottsdale played a great game and is hot right now.

All 12 players on the Aztec roster scored in the 66-point win over the Gila Monsters.

Morrison led all scorers with 25 points, and Jones chipped in with 13. Maracigan nearly earned a triple double in the game, registering 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight steals.

Pima next travels to Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Feb. 13, then plays at Glendale Community College on Feb. 17 before returning home to play Yavapai College at 2 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the West Campus Gym.