Lady Mats return to nationals

AWC women's basketball wins 1st Region 1 title since 2002

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Since the Arizona Western College women's basketball program came into existence in 1999, the Lady Matadors only made a single appearance in the NJCAA Tournament.

On Friday night, the Lady Mats made it a 2nd time.

The 12th ranked Lady Mats defeat the Eastern Arizona Gila Monsters, 68-56.

After AWC fell into an early 9-0 hole, returning conference player of the year Alliance Ndiba kept the Lady Mats in striking distance; scoring the team's 1st 7 points.

She would up with 13 points overall, before having to leave the game with less than 6 minutes remaining due to a leg injury.

Ndiba just returned from a long absence due to a partial ACL tear.

The Cardinal and Gold rallied from trailing the entire 1st half deficit to a stronger 2nd half performance.

Teresa Da Silva secured 17 of her 19 overall points in the 2nd half, while Faith Silva contributed 13 points in AWC's winning effort.

Friday night's win secures the Lady Mat's 1st Region 1 and Western District title since 2002.

The Lady Mats await their seeding fate for the national tournament that will take place this coming Sunday.