Long takes over in the second half as Aztecs women's basketball stump Bismarck State College

The Pima Community College women's basketball team (10-2) found itself in a battle but got bench production in the second half on Friday against Bismarck State College (8-5).

The No. 4 ranked Aztecs used a 17-5 run to take a double digit lead in the fourth quarter to help close out the Mystics 89-70 in the second day of the Bruce Fleck Classic.

Tied at 59-59, freshman RyLeigh Long hit a three-pointer as time expired in the third quarter. It turned into a 17-5 run to give the Aztecs a 76-64 lead with 5:21 left in the fourth quarter. The Aztecs outscored the Mystics 27-11 in the final quarter.

The Aztecs trailed after the first quarter but went on a 14-6 run to take a 25-18 lead. The Mystics closed out the half on a 15-5 run. Pima trailed 33-30 at the break.

Long came off the bench and scored 13 of her 15 points in the second half. She finished 6 for 6 from the field and also had five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Freshman Jacqulynn Nakai (Coconino HS) scored a team-high 16 points to go along with six rebounds, seven assists and seven steals.

Sophomore Christine Ortega (Flowing Wells HS) finished with 13 points while Izzy Spruit (Mesquite HS) hit four 3-pointers in the second half to finish with 12 points. Fellow sophomore Alliyah Bryant (Mesquite HS) scored 12 points off the bench.

Sophomore Aubre Fortner had 10 points and six rebounds and freshman Macey Rose (Basha HS) contributed with eight points and six rebounds off the bench.

The Aztecs went 15 for 16 from the free throw line.

The Aztecs will close out play in the Bruce Fleck Classic on Saturday when host Snow College at 5:00 p.m. The Aztecs beat the Badgers 72-66 in the Snow College Tournament earlier this month.

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