Aztecs Women's Basketball Drop Game Against Central Arizona

The Pima Community College women's basketball team (21-7, 15-5 in ACCAC) surrendered a big run in the third quarter and couldn't recover on Wednesday against Central Arizona College (23-5, 18-2).

The Aztecs lost 88-76 as the teams split the regular season head-to-head matchups. The Vaqueras won their 11^th straight game.

With the game tied 43-43 early in the third quarter, the Aztecs gave up an 18-2 run as they went cold on offense and Central Arizona capitalized on cross court passes for baskets. Pima was outscored 29-12 and trailed 68-51 heading into the fourth quarter. The Aztecs cut Central Arizona's lead to 10 points with 50 seconds left but that's as close as they'd get.

The Aztecs took a 10-point advantage in the second quarter at 26-16 but the Vaqueras countered with a 10-0 run to tie it. The score was tied 39-39 at halftime.

Sophomore Sydni Stallworth (Palo Verde HS) finished with a team-high 21 points and four steals. Fellow sophomore Shalise Fernander (Flowing Wells HS) had a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Denesia Smith (Cienega HS) scored 10 of her 14 points in the first half.

Pima won at Central Arizona 74-52 last month for its first win over the Vaqueras since 1982.

The Aztecs, who sealed the No. 1 seed for the Region I, Division II tournament last week, will play their final regular season home game on Saturday against South Mountain Community College at 2:00 p.m. They will honor their six sophomores at halftime.