Pima media-relations director Ray Suarez provided information for this report:
The Pima Community College men’s basketball team earned its eighth straight win on Wednesday after beating Mesa Community College 99-75 at the West Campus Aztec Gym.
The No. 15 Aztecs (22-3, 14-3 in ACCAC) opened a double-digit lead in the first half and cruised over the Thunderbirds (7-16, 5-12).
Pima called timeout with the game tied at 14-14 with 14:42 left in the half. The Aztecs responded with a 12-0 run in the next four minutes that was capped by sophomore Dillan Baker’s (Salpointe Catholic) 3-pointer.
The Thunderbirds cut Pima’s lead to 41-30 after a 7-0 run but the Aztecs closed the half with a 10-4 run of their own to make it 51-34 at halftime.
The Aztecs used a couple of small runs in the second half to keep hold of their advantage as they went on a 9-2 run in three minutes to take a 78-54 advantage and they outscored the Thunderbirds on an 11-5 run to make it 89-64 in the final minutes.
Freshman Cohenj Gonzales led the way with a game-high 22 points as he went 7 for 10 from the field and 5 for 7 from 3-point range. He also added six assists, five rebounds and two steals.
Baker had 21 points after he went 8 for 14 shooting and 4 for 8 from beyond the arc. He also posted six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
Sophomore Jaylen Alexander finished with 19 points, four rebounds and four assists while freshman Wes Ball (Marana) posted 15 points on 7 for 9 shooting with five rebounds and three assists.
Sophomore Zach Williamson had two points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Freshman Gabe Oldham contributed with eight points and eight rebounds off the bench.
The Aztecs will have a week off from games before the final stretch of the regular season and the Region I Tournament as they host Phoenix College on Wednesday at the West Campus Aztec Gymnasium. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. afer the Phoenix-Pima women’s game at 5:30.
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