The No. 9 Pima Community College women’s basketball team closed its regular season on a strong note Saturday, defeating the team it will open the ACCAC Region I, Division II playoffs with Thursday at West Aztec Gym.
The Aztecs defeated No. 25 Scottsdale 70-62 for their seventh straight win.
Pima (24-5, 15-3 in ACCAC) will host the Artichokes (17-9, 13-5) in the ACCAC Region I, Division II semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m.
Pima, leading 67-62 with 47 seconds left Saturday, turned the ball over, but the defense forced a missed shot.
The Artichokes collected the offensive rebound and called timeout to regroup.
They turned the ball over on the ensuing possession and sophomore Rori Hoffmeyer collected the steal. She was fouled and converted on one of two free throws to make it 68-62 with 17.3 seconds left.
The Aztecs got another defensive board as time ticked down and freshman Kiley Sours-Miller (formerly of Arizona State) hit both free throws to seal the win with 1.7 seconds left.
Pima went on an 8-0 run in the first quarter with baskets from Sours-Miller and a 3-pointer from sophomore Mattanaya Vital (Amphi) as they took a 17-12 lead heading into the second quarter. The Aztecs led 30-27 at halftime.
Pima took its biggest lead of the game at 42-33 with 4:19 left in the third quarter but the Artichokes kept it close as Pima led 50-47 entering the final 10 minutes.
Freshman Kennedi Niemann hit a 3-pointer and a jumper to keep the Aztecs ahead at 65-58.
Scottsdale cut it to a five-point margin but could not close the gap more.
Sours-Miller produced her 14th double-double of the season as she scored 24 of her season-high 34 points in the second half. She also added 14 rebounds (six offensive) with two blocks. She went 16 for 28 from the field.
Niemann scored nine points while freshman Melicia Nelson added eight points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. She was 3 for 3 from the field.
Vital contributed with seven points and Hoffmeyer had five points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Aztecs recognized sophomores Amelie Buffill-Gutierrez (Sabino), Katie Burns (Catalina Foothills), Tayden Hanks, Annalise Holthaus (Ironwood Ridge HS), Reece Niemann, Kennedi Niemann, Hoffmeyer, Gabriella Sanchez (Tucson), Vital and team manager Alexia Lopez were celebrated on Sophomore Day before Saturday’s game.
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