Aztecs Women's Basketball Pull Away Late to Beat Phoenix College

The Pima Community College women's basketball team (4-1, 2-0 in ACCAC) avenged its loss against Phoenix College on Saturday at the West Campus.

The No. 10 ranked Aztecs pulled away late to beat Phoenix College 61-46. The Aztecs lost to Phoenix in last year's Region I, Division II tournament semifinals.

The Aztecs held a 31-16 lead after the first half but Phoenix cut the lead to eight on a few occasions and outscored the Aztecs 19-11 in the third quarter. Pima led 48-40 with 5:40 left in the game and finished the game on a 13-6 run.

Freshman Denesia Smith (Cienega HS) scored a game-high 17 points and also had four rebounds and two assists. Sophomore Gabby Banales (Cienega HS) contributed with 14 points while freshman Sydni Stallworth (Palo Verde HS) had 13 points as she went 7 for 11 from the free-throw line. She also had five rebounds and two assists.

"Great win today against the defending region champs. We played solid defense and crashed the offensive boards," Pima coach Todd Holthaus said.

The Aztecs will be part of the Eastern Arizona Thanksgiving Classic in Thatcher on Friday and Saturday. They'll begin against New Mexico Junior College on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Sydni Stallworth/Photo by Michael Cox