Matadors win conference opener!

AWC outlasts Central Arizona thanks to 2nd half surge

Coming off a historic 2018-19 season; which included a 1st time appearance in the NJCAA Tournament, AWC Men's basketball is riding an early season tide of momentum.

Coming into tonight's ACCAC season opener, the Matadors are riding a 4-game winning streak and looking to get off to a fast start in conference play at home.

It would be anything but easy against a formidable Central Arizona squad.

The 1st half would prove to be a slug-fest, as neither team could build much of a lead; as this part of the game experienced a total of 19 lead changes with the Mats trailing by a single point at the half.

AWC would start the 2nd with a 14-2 run in an effort to try to put the game away.

But, the Vaqueros would capitalize on their 3 point shooting to pull within 4 points with a minute remaining; before the Mats held them off to come away with the 79-74 win.

The Mats Jalen Townsell and Daniel Kiely put up the bulk of the offense in this one, as each of them finished with 20 points on the night.