Stallworth and Fernander Shine in Second Half as Women's Basketball Beat Cochise

The Pima Community College women's basketball team (7-3, 4-1 in ACCAC) came from behind late in the fourth quarter and responded in overtime on Wednesday at the West Campus.

The No. 10 ranked Aztecs (Div. II) outscored Cochise College (8-3, 4-2, Div. I) 12-6 in the extra period on its way to a 72-66 win.

Tied at 64-64 with 2:12 remaining in overtime, sophomore Shalise Fernander (Flowing Wells HS) scored on two straight possessions to make it a four-point game. Later up 68-66, the Aztecs defense forced a bad shot and Fernander grabbed the defensive rebound. Freshman Erin Peterson (Catalina Foothills HS) hit a pair of free throws to make it 70-66 with 20.9 seconds left. On Cochise's next trip down the floor, sophomore Gabby Banales (Cienega HS) came up with the steal at mid-court and freshman Sydni Stallworth (Palo Verde HS) hit two free throws to seal it.

The Aztecs trailed 55-50 late in the fourth quarter. Stallworth hit a three-pointer and Fernander tied it at 55-55 with 1:45 left. Later, Fernander broke another tie to make it 60-58 after a great pass inside from Stallworth. Cochise hit two free throws with 3.5 seconds left to force the overtime.

Stallworth scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 18 points. She had two points and shot 1 for 8 in the first half. Fernander scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half and overtime. She also had seven rebounds. Sophomore Taylor Blue scored all 15 of her points in the first half as she went 7 for 11 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds. Freshman Denesia Smith had 10 points and three assists. Peterson scored eight points as she went 6 for 8 from the free throw line.

The Aztecs will continue its home stand on Saturday when they host Mesa Community College at the West Campus. The game will start at 2:00 p.m.