Fueled by an explosive third quarter on offense, the Pima Community College women’s basketball team defeated Glendale Community College 72-60 at West Campus Aztec Gymnasium on Saturday.
In a game that had five ties and six lead changes, the night unofficially belonged to sophomore guard Angel Addleman (Palo Verde). Addleman sang the national anthem with her father before the game, accepted the Bruce Fleck Scholarship Award at half, and finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists. It wasn’t a bad day.
Pima (15-7) was down 36-35 to Glendale at halftime before The Aztecs outscored the Gauchos 22-11, powered by a barrage of 3-pointers from Melissa Simmons and a solid presence in the post by Nikya Orange (Tanque Verde), in what would be a game-changing third quarter.
The Aztecs would pull away to go up by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter.
“What I just talked to the team about right now was the fact that every night we’re gonna get everybody’s best shot and I think that it’s important for these ladies to understand that,” Pima head coach Todd Holthaus said. “You can’t go into a game just assuming that someone’s gonna lay down for you. Everybody’s gonna give you their best shot, and I think we’re learning it as the season goes on, but every night you can’t assume anything, you gotta be ready to go, and I think that was probably the big lesson.”
After being down as much as six points in the first half, Addleman hit a long three-pointer before the second quarter buzzer to trim Glendale Community College’s lead to one point at the break.
“I was really excited because it kind of got our momentum going for the second half,” Addleman said.
When it comes to earning the Bruce Fleck Scholarship Award, Addleman didn’t take all of the credit.
“I’m just really grateful for all the people who helped me accomplish that,” she said. “I think putting in hard work and dedication is important in any aspect of life.”
Simmons finished with 14 points and two assists.
Orange finished with 12 pints and 5 rebounds.
Luisayde Chavez (Rio Rico) finished with two points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
The Aztecs play next against Chandler-Gilbert Community College at West Campus Aztec Gymnasium on Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com writing intern Kevin Murphy was born and raised in Tucson, and has followed Arizona Wildcats athletics since childhood. Murphy is a journalist product manager with the Green Valley News & the Sahuarita Sun. He is currently attending the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU where he is working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies.
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