Pima women's basketball stumbles in region semis, but at-large national tournament berth still possible

The second-seeded Aztecs fell to third-seeded Scottsdale Community College 49-43 Thursday night at Pima Community College West Campus in the NJCAA Region I, Division II semifinals — just the second home playoff loss under Pima head coach Todd Holthaus.

Downing SCC last season in regionals, as well as sweeping the Artichokes in three games this regular season, the Aztecs couldn’t continue this trend of dominance with Scottsdale enacting revenge.

“It’s a big deal, especially going into the championship game on the road, ” Scottsdale CC head coach Tasha Washington said. “I’ve not beaten Todd, even at home. They wanted to change that around, so I’m glad they got together and they banded together and we told them coming in, they’ve beaten us three times, but get to the playoffs, it’s 0-0.”

With the Aztecs (23-8) down two points with just under 16 seconds remaining, the Artichokes (18-11) missed two free throws but got the offensive rebound before getting fouled again, helping them edge out the victory.

“I told (the team) I couldn’t be prouder,” Holthaus said following the game. “I just love the way they play. I like the way they represent ourselves.”

In a shaky first half where both teams couldn’t get much to go offensively, the Aztecs and Artichokes exchanged multiple lead changes. With a minute left in the first half, freshman forward Rori Hoffmeyer scored one of her four first-half field goals to put her team up five, to help Pima take a 2-point advantage at halftime.

Trailing by two points to start the fourth quarter, the Artichokes caught fire from behind the arc in the biggest moments as with under five minutes to play, Makelei Snyder and Ella Hoover both hit 3-pointers to take a commanding six-point lead. It was a deficit the Aztecs could not recover from.

Shooting only 25% in the first half, Scottsdale flipped the switch in the second, shooting 48%, led by Danay Williams, who scored 14 of her 18 points in the half, which included hitting a hook shot to put her team up four points, as well as the two game-sealing free throws.

The Aztecs were not able to find their rhythm throughout the game, only shooting 34% from the field. That’s their second-worst game shooting at home, behind only their last meeting against the Artichokes.

With the poor shooting continuing in the second half, Pima was outrebounded 21-11 after outrebounding Scottsdale CC in the first half.

“Credit to Scottsdale,” Holthaus said. “They played well.

“We beat ’em here last year so there’s a little bit more there.”

Although a heartbreaking loss, there was more uncertainty clouding the heads of the Aztecs than shock with their National Tournament fate still up in the air due to their notable Division 1 victories throughout the season.

“It’s different than in the past where when you lose, you’re done,” Holthaus said. “You never come into the night thinking about what’s going to happen if you lose, because it’s never you’re mindset. But then when you add in the possibility of an at-large (bid), I’m not ready to close the book yet.

Holthaus said that his team’s résumé, which includes four of their eight losses coming to Division I schools, two of which are ranked, illustrates that his team didn’t have any “bad losses” which will help the Aztecs’ odds when it comes down to the tournament selection on Sunday night. The Pima coach added that he is hoping that the “basketball gods” can assist them.

“We’re gonna open the gym tomorrow, we’ll come shoot, say a few prayers, and the people that are supposed to win, win in front of us, and see if we can pull it off,” Holthaus said.

4 Aztecs recognized with All-ACCAC honors

Pima Community College announced Wednesday that four Aztecs have been named to the All-ACCAC Conference Team with three receiving NJCAA All-Region honors.

Aztecs’ leading scorer freshman guard Rylei Waugh, received First-Team All-ACCAC, as well garnering ACCAC Division II Player of the Year, ACCAC Division II Freshman of the Year honors.

Freshman forward Gabby Lopez, a Bisbee High School alumna, and sophomore forward Dominique Acosta from Nogales High School, both received Second-Team All-Region honors, with Lopez collecting ACCAC Division II Defensive Player of the Year and Second-Team All-ACCAC and Acosta earning First-Team All-ACCAC.

Yuma native and freshman forward Rori Hoffmeyer received Second-Team All-ACCAC honors.