Aztecs Men's Basketball Falter Late in Loss Against Mesa

The Pima Community College men's basketball team (5-5, 2-4 in ACCAC) played catch up for most of its game against Mesa Community College on Saturday but couldn't hold on to a late lead.

The Aztecs lost 75-69 as they scored just two points from the free throw line in the final 3:04 of the game. Mesa scored their final nine points of the game from the foul line as well.

The Aztecs trailed 57-46 with 12:54 left and went on a 15-2 run in the next seven minutes. It was capped off by sophomore Justice Martion's basket which gave the Aztecs the 61-59 lead with 6:01 left. Martion scored eight points during that stretch. It was Pima's first lead all game.

After a Mesa score, freshman Keven Biggs (Cienega HS) responded with a three-pointer to make it 64-61 at the 5:21 mark. The Aztecs took one more lead in the game when sophomore Cameron Volk (Tucson Magnet HS) drained a three-pointer to put the Aztecs back up 67-66 with 3:04 left on the clock. Mesa finished the game with a 9-2 run.

Martion had a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Yusef Shehata (Amphitheater HS) finished with 12 points while Volk contributed with 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

The Aztecs will host Tohono O'Odham Community College on Monday at the West Campus. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.