Arizona Western Basketball teams start roadtrips down different paths

Matador mens basketball secured a win in Colorado while the women fell to Midland College

ODESSA, Texas (KYMA) - The Arizona Western Lady Matadors fell to the Midland College Chaparrals 78-74 during their first game of the Wrangler Classic Tournament on Wednesday night.

The Lady Mats would erupt for a 51-point second half, but their slow start in the first half would ultimately hurt them.

"We got in the hole early, stayed in the hole late, but then also you got to give your hats off to the kids when they come back and, you know, put up 51 points in the second half to make it a ballgame," said AWC Women's Basketball Head Coach Chelsea Dewey.

The tournament continues Thursday, and Coach Dewey and the Matadors aren't shying away from the No. 9 ranked New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds.

"New Mexico is gonna be a really tough team. They play fast. They got a point guard that's gonna, put it on the floor against us," Coach Dewey said. "It's just a really good test early to see what your kids are really made of, you know. We don't have to be peaking right now, we just need to be peaking in March."

For the men, they hit the road and secured a 72-62 win against the Colorado Northwestern Community College Spartans.

The Male Mats started hot with a 42 point first half and would take a 13-point lead into the break.

Their next game is away on Friday against Utah State Eastern.