Pima media-relations director Ray Suarez contributed information for this report:
The Pima Community College women’s basketball team, an NJCAA Division II program, faced a tough test on the road at Division I Cochise College in a 65-55 loss Saturday in Douglas.
The No. 14 Aztecs (11-4, 6-2 in ACCAC) fell to the Apaches (9-5, 4-3) despite 13 points from freshman Rylei Waugh. Fellow freshman Gabby Lopez (Bisbee grad) posted 10 points with four rebounds.
Pima experienced its biggest deficit at 59-39 with 4:30 left, but the Aztecs rallied.
After back-to-back baskets by freshman Rori Hoffmeyer, four free throws by freshman Annalise Holthaus (Ironwood Ridge) and a bucket by sophomore Dominique Acosta (Nogales), the Aztecs cut the lead to 61-49 with 2:22 left.
Pima closed out the game on a 16-6 run but couldn’t close the deficit to single digits before time ran out.
The Apaches led 39-30 at halftime and finished the third quarter with a 10-2 run to make it 47-34.
Cochise started the final period outscoring Pima 12-5 to take a 20-point advantage.
The Aztecs started the game with a 10-4 lead, but Cochise closed out the first quarter on a 13-2 run. The Aztecs trailed the rest of the game.
Hoffmeyer had nine points, seven rebounds and three steals while Acosta contributed seven points and seven rebounds. Holthaus, daughter of head coach Todd Holthaus, added seven points and five rebounds off the bench.
The Aztecs return to the West Campus Aztec Gymnasium on Wednesday when they host Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m.
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