Late rally falls short as Arizona Western’s season ends in National Tournament

(KYMA) - The Arizona Western Lady Matadors saw their season come to an end Tuesday morning, falling 88-81 to New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds in the opening round of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Despite a strong offensive showing and a late push in the final seconds, turnovers and free throw struggles ultimately proved costly for Arizona Western.

The Matadors had five players finish in double figures, led by Kimora Jenkins, who poured in 20 points while knocking down six three-pointers.

Chen Pan added 18 points, while Mable Doumbia came close to a triple-double with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists.

The game was tightly contested throughout, featuring multiple lead changes and momentum swings. After trailing early, Arizona Western battled back and went into halftime tied at 34-34 following a late scoring run.

In the second half, both teams continued to trade blows. The Matadors briefly grabbed their largest lead late in the third quarter, but the Thunderbirds responded to take a narrow advantage into the final frame.

New Mexico Junior College created separation in the fourth quarter behind clutch shooting and a dominant performance at the free throw line.

The Thunderbirds went a perfect 12-for-12 from the stripe in the final period, helping extend their lead to multiple possessions.

Arizona Western refused to back down. A flurry of late three-pointers from Jenkins, Pan, and Marta Vieira brought the Matadors within five points in the closing seconds.

However, the comeback effort came up just short as the Thunderbirds sealed the game at the free throw line.

Vieira finished with 14 points off the bench, while Garance Soulas added 12 points and three assists. As a team, the Matadors hit 16 three-pointers and shot nearly 49% from beyond the arc.

However, 20 turnovers leading to 21 points for New Mexico Junior College, combined with a significant 23-7 free throw attempt disparity, proved to be the difference.

The Thunderbirds advance to face top-seeded Butler Grizzlies in the next round.

Arizona Western's season comes to a close with a 21-11 overall record and a 12-3 mark in ACCAC play, highlighted by a Region I Championship and a hard-fought run to the national tournament.