Citizen Staff Writer
PIMA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
KEN BRAZZLE
kbrazzle@tucsoncitizen.com
The Pima Community College women’s basketball team had the jitters Tuesday night, appearing in a National Junior College Athletic Association Postseason Tournament for the first time in 15 years.
How else would you explain scoring two points in the first eight minutes?
“We were a little nervous,” said Pima freshman center Tia Morrison. “By the time we realized we had to step it up, we had enough time to win the game.”
Pima rallied from an 11-point, first-half deficit to defeat Scottsdale Community College 73-62 in a NJCAA Region I semifinal game.
Pima (25-5) hosts Glendale Community College at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Region I championship.
“We have to be ready because Glendale runs and guns,” Pima coach Todd Holthaus said.
After the early scoring dry spell, Pima regrouped to tie the score at 15 with 9:30 left in the half. The Aztecs led 38-35 at the intermission.
“They (Scottsdale) came at us with nothing to lose. They came out with guns blazing,” Holthaus said.
Pima refused to relinquish the lead in the second half, although Scottsdale came close on occasions.
“We tightened our defense and executed on offense,” said Morrison, who turned in a double-double with 22 points and 16 rebounds. “We believe our offense comes from defense.”
Abyee Maracigan (Flowing Wells High) scored 16 points for Pima and NeNe Villalobos (Sunnyside) contributed 12 points.
PIMA WOMEN’S HOOPS
What: Region I championship
Who: Pima vs. Glendale CC
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Pima West Campus