Cates drills game-winning three-ball as Aztecs women's basketball topple Central Arizona College
The Pima Community College women's basketball team (21-6, 15-5 in ACCAC) did something that has never been done in program history on Wednesday against Central Arizona College (18-9, 13-7).
The No. 5 ranked Aztecs defeated the Vaqueras 93-90 earning a regular season sweep for the first time ever. Pima won 96-85 last month in Coolidge.
With the game tied at 90-90 with 13.3 seconds left, the Aztecs moved the ball until sophomore Bree Cates broke free and drained a three-pointer with 2.6 left on the clock. The Vaqueras missed the desperation attempt as time expired.
The Aztecs trailed for much of the game and were down by as much as 10 points at 53-43 in the third quarter. They chipped away at the Central Arizona's lead and took an 80-79 advantage with 3:04 left in the game after sophomore Denesia Smith's (Cienega HS) layup. Their victory margin was Pima's largest lead of the game.
The Aztecs had dropped last second buzzer beaters to Mesa Community College and Cochise College earlier this season.
"We stayed together and kept fighting. It was our time and we were due for sure," Cates said. "We knew shots go to the corners and Nesi (Smith) had a great ball fake and I took the shot."
Cates scored 19 of her 23 points in the second half on 10 for 17 shooting. Sophomore Sydni Stallworth finished with 21 points and six assists while Smith scored 17 points on 7 for 10 shooting.
"We kept our composure and stayed tough," Pima coach Todd Holthaus said. "We've lost a couple of close games that way this season. It was our turn to pull one out. I'm very proud of the ladies and happy for them."
The Aztecs will go into their game at Mesa on Saturday tied for the No. 1 seed with two regular season games left. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.
"Mesa will be tough. We've got to get out on their shooters and play tough defense. Our defense has gotten better since the last time we faced them," Cates said.
The Aztecs lost to the Thunderbirds 84-81 on a last-second shot last month at the West Campus.
CAC 24 21 21 24 90
PCC 20 19 23 31 93
