Aztec Women's Basketball Open 2016-17 with a Win at NMJC Classic; Holthaus Wins No. 198

The Pima Community College women's basketball team (1-0) opened the 2016-17 season on Thursday in the first day of the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbird Classic.

The Aztecs, who are No. 1 ranked in Division II, defeated Western Texas College (Division I) 71-64 in Hobbs, NM.

The Aztecs outscored the Westerners 15-4 in the first quarter and led 29-27 at halftime. In the third quarter, up 35-32, the Aztecs went on a 10-2 run in less than three minutes to take back their double digit lead at 45-34. The Westerners closed the gap to 47-41 with 1:11 left but the Aztecs responded again with a 10-0 run that went into the fourth quarter to make it 57-41.

The Aztecs shot 43 percent from the field and went 13 for 15 from the free throw line.

Sophomore Bree Cates led the Aztecs with a team-high 13 points while fellow sophomore Denesia Smith (Cienega HS) finished with 11 points, seven assists, six steals and three rebounds. She was also 5 for 8 from the field.

Sophomore Moana Hala'ufia (Marana HS) had 10 points and four rebounds and sophomore Erin Peterson contributed with eight points, three rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Sydni Stallworth had six points on 3 for 11 shooting with six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Pima head coach Todd Holthaus now has 198 wins in his career.

The Aztecs will play the host school New Mexico Junior College on Friday at 6:00 p.m. (MST).

PCC      15      14      20      22      71
WTC      4       23      14      23     64

Denesia Smith/Photo by Ben Carbajal 2015-16