Smith Has Double-Double as Women's Basketball Dominates to Open NJCAA Tourney

Overland Park, KS – The Pima Community College women's basketball team (26-7) made its presence felt as the Aztecs opened NJCAA Division II National Tournament play.

The Aztecs decimated Hagerstown Community College (MD) 96-55 on Tuesday at Johnson County Community College.

After the team traded baskets for the first four minutes of the game, the Aztecs went on an 11-0 run to take a 21-8 advantage. Sophomore Taylor Blue (Peoria HS) converted on a three-point play and freshman Sydni Stallworth (Palo Verde HS) drained a three-pointer to start the run. The Aztecs ended the second quarter with a 10-3 run after the Hawks cut the lead to 37-28 with five minutes to go. Pima led 47-31 at the break.

The Aztecs left no doubt in the second half as they went on a 20-4 run that carried from the third into the fourth quarter. Their biggest lead was the final score (41 points) as they outscored the Hawks 49-24 in the second half.

The Aztecs used their quickness and inside presence to wear down the Hawks. Pima outrebounded them 58-41 for the game.

Freshman Denesia Smith (Cienega HS) led the way with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Stallworth had 11 of her 16 points in the first half while sophomore Shalise Fernander (Flowing Wells HS) had 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting. She also had six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Blue scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half as she also pulled down nine rebounds.

The Pima bench contributed with 31 points as freshman Erin Peterson (Catalina Foothills HS) had nine points on 4-for-5 shooting with five rebounds.

The Aztecs will play No. 6 seed Cape Fear Community College (N.C.) (26-1) tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. Tucson time).

Catch the NJCAA Division II National Tournament games on the NJCAA website

Denesia Smith/Photo by Ben Carbajal