Stallworth Scores 26 as Women's Basketball Beat Parkland College; Pryor Receives Bruce Fleck Scholarship

The Pima Community College women's basketball team (10-3) displayed high energy and speed as the fifth annual Bruce Fleck Classic kicked off on Tuesday at the West Campus gym.

The Aztecs pulled away in the second half to beat Parkland College (9-5) 99-71. Up 58-50 early in the third quarter, the Aztecs went on an 18-2 run in a little over five minutes to take a 20-point lead at 74-54. Pima led by as much as 26 points with less than five minutes left in the game.

Freshmen Sydni Stallworth (Palo Verde HS) and Denesia Smith (Cienega HS), as well as sophomore Shalise Fernander, led the way as they were in double figures in points by halftime. Stallworth finished with a game-high 26 points and also had four steals. Smith and Fernander each had 18 points. Fernander went 7 for 11 from the field. Sophomore Kristin Baldwin (Thatcher HS) did her work on the glass and on defense as she finished with nine rebounds and six blocks.

"Tonight was a great win against a great team on a special night," coach Todd Holthaus said. "I was a bit surprised how well we played against Parkland after a 10-day layoff."

During halftime, sophomore forward Hayley Pryor (Basha HS) became the fifth recipient of the Bruce Fleck Scholarship Award. The award goes to a women's basketball player who best exemplifies work in the classroom as well as on and off the court. It is in honor of the late coach. Pryor received a book scholarship, an individual plaque and her name displayed in the gym of previous recipients. The past recipients of the award are Nadi Carey (2011), Alyssa Roche (2012), Rachel Williams (2013) and Adrianna Barrientez (2014).

"Hayley Pryor being the (Bruce) Fleck Scholarship award recipient was icing on the cake."

The Aztecs host Snow College in the second day of the Bruce Fleck Classic on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Snow College 68, Cochise College 57
Arizona Western College 84, South Mountain Community College 43

Photo (left to right): Coach Todd Holthaus, Karen (Hayley's mom), Dylan (Hayley's sister), Hayley Pryor, Jennie Fleck, Matt (Hayley's dad), Michelle (Coach Fleck's daughter), McKenzie (Coach Fleck's grand-daughter)