Courtney Colleary drives to the hoop against a Central Arizona defender Wednesday night. (Photo by A-a-ron Webster)
Courtney Colleary drives to the hoop against a Central Arizona defender Wednesday night. (Photo by A-a-ron Webster)

T-Birds Awaken Late But Stumble Against Central AZ in 65-61 Defeat

Mesa, AZ - Mesa lasts ditch effort to upend the Central Arizona Vaquera's Wednesday came up short as the T-Birds dropped their first conference game of the season, 65-61, at Theo Heap Gym.

Shooting a morbid 24.7 percent (20-81) from the field, the T-Birds still put themselves into a position to tie the game late.

Mesa did have a 17-14 first quarter lead, being led by point guard Takara Wade, who finished with seven points after quarter one.  But Mesa shot just 4-19 in the second quarter, 0-5 from three while the Vaquera's outscored the T-Birds 19-9 in the 2nd quarter to take a 33-26 advantage into halftime.

It was much of the same in the third quarter for Mesa as they just couldn't seem to connect on opportunities, sometimes easy opportunities.  The T-Birds trailed by as much as 13 points with seven minutes to play in the game.

But the T-Birds never said die as they clawed back to within three points in the final minute with two Takara Wade free-throws to make it, 64-61.  With 14 seconds to play, Mesa's Leah Goodman attempted to tie it with a long three point but it hit iron and landed in the hands of the Vaquera's, who sealed the victory with another free-throw.

Three Thunderbirds finished with 13 points, Leah Goodman, Takara Wade and Diamond Fuller while Anessa Glenn finished with a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

For the T-Birds, this is their first conference loss of the season.  They move to 10-4 overall and 5-1 in the ACCAC conference.  They will travel to Eastern Arizona College on Saturday for a 5:30 pm tip off.