Smith and Stallworth Lead the Way as Aztecs Women's Basketball Beat Mesa

The Pima Community College women's basketball team (8-3, 5-1 in ACCAC) came away with the important rebounds and free throws in its win at the West Campus on Saturday.

The No. 10 ranked Aztecs went 25 for 28 from the free throw line in its 76-69 win over Mesa Community College. They out-rebounded Mesa 46-37 for the game.

With the game tied at 61-61 in the fourth quarter, sophomore Shalise Fernander (Flowing Wells HS) converted on a three-point play to put the Aztecs up 64-61 with 2:27 left. On the next trip down the floor, sophomore Gabby Banales (Cienega HS) scored after she grabbed an offensive rebound.

Later, up 66-64 with 1:27 left, Fernander and Sydni Stallworth (Palo Verde HS) kept a possession alive with their offensive boards that ended with freshman Denesia Smith (Cienega HS) scoring with an opportunity for a three-point play. Smith would later hit two free throws to make it 70-64 with under a minute left. Stallworth closed out the game scoring Pima's final six points; all from the free throw stripe.

Stallworth and Smith each finished the game with 24 points. Stallworth had seven assists and was 9 for 10 from the free throw line. Smith went 3 for 3 from three-point range and was 6 for 7 from the free throw line. Fernander finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. She was 8 for 9 from the free throw line.

The Aztecs will host Tohono O'Odham Community College at the West Campus on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Denesia Smith/Photo by Michael Cox 2015