MESA, Ariz., - The Arizona Western Matadors' Men's Basketball team (12-5, 5-2) scored 55 points in the second half to pull away and beat Mesa (4-8, 2-4) 85-70 Wednesday evening at Theo Heap Gymnasium.

Matija Gledic scored a team-high 19 points while AJ Marmolejos added 18 points to help the Matadors storm past Mesa.

Arizona Western jumped out to an early lead in the first half, taking an 11-4 lead thanks to a Gledic three-pointer to cap off a 7-0 Matadors' run. Mesa came storming back to grab a 17-15 lead on a made three before the Matadors eventually tied the game again thanks to a Cam Atkinson made three, evening the score at 24-24. Arizona Western closed the first half on a 4-0 run and tied the game right before the halftime buzzer on a tip-in by LaRoi Glover.

The Matadors started the second half on an 11-5 run and jumped out to a 41-35 lead after a Marmolejos three-pointer. Gledic upped the lead to 45-37 with a steal and score before scoring 10 of the next 15 points to open a 55-42 lead. The Matadors pushed the lead to 59-45 on an alley-oop finished by Gledic and Gledic later put the Matadors up 15 points again with a three-pointer to give the Matadors the 71-56 lead. Arizona Western led by as many as 17 at 80-63.

Both Edwin Suarez and Cam Atkinson ended the game with 12 points and LaRoi Glover scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win.

The Matadors return home on Saturday, January 6, hosting Scottsdale at 4:00 pm at the House Gymnasium.  Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors while Arizona Western College students get in free with their AWC ID.