Arizona Western hoop programs struggle to defend “The House”

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Western came into today with a combined 8-0 conference record and walked out of "The House" with at a combined 8-2. Both teams suffered close losses to Eastern Arizona. The women lost 56-53, while the men took a trip into overtime where they fell 94-90.

The women's team took to the court first, and looked doomed from the get-go. Offensively they struggled mightily through the first eight minutes, getting worked to an 18-3 deficit.

The chipping away lasted for the majority of the game, trailing 33-24 heading into halftime and cutting the game to seven points with a Queren Loubaki basket to start the third quarter.

A back-and-forth defensive effort led into a fourth quarter where the Matadors found themselves in a 12-point hole. Then the tides started to change as Jessica Liena drilled a jump shot and AWC went on a 13-2 run in the final frame.

Garance Soulas tied the game for Arizona Western with 2:40 left in competition but they would never take the lead as Eastern Arizona closed things out.

As for the men, they were in a nail-biter from start to finish. Both teams took their turns with the lead in the first half. The Gila Monsters and Matadors each gained a six-point lead but never getting out to anything too comfortable on the scoreboard.

Three free throws from Eastern Arizona cut their deficit to 43-41 going into half.

Although the Monsters were able to come back and jump in front of the Matadors 72-64, AWC got a surge on both ends of the floor and managed to take a 74-73 lead with 4:13 left in the game following three made free throws from Mario Brunetto.

Marsai Mason hit both of his free throws with under a minute left to tie the game at 77 apiece and send it to overtime.

However, it was Eastern Arizona pulling away and winning 94-90.