Coolidge, AZ – November 23, 2024

In a hard-fought contest that went down to the wire, the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Women's Basketball team narrowly lost to Central Arizona College, 89-83, on Saturday afternoon. Despite an impressive offensive performance, particularly from standout Saroiya Ajomale, the Coyotes couldn't overcome a dominant third-quarter surge by the Vaqueras.

The game featured a back-and-forth battle between two determined teams, with Central Arizona's sharpshooting from beyond the arc and balanced scoring proving decisive. CSN's resilience and strong individual performances kept the game close until the final whistle, but Central Arizona held on to protect their home court.

First Half: A Tight Contest

The first half showcased evenly matched teams, with both offenses finding ways to score. Central Arizona took a narrow 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, with Audrey Quintana and Irene Maroto leading the Vaqueras' charge. Quintana's ability to hit three-pointers and draw fouls proved pivotal, as she tallied 12 points in the opening quarter alone.

CSN's Ajomale was equally impactful, scoring eight points in the first quarter and asserting her dominance in the paint and on mid-range jumpers. Supported by Adrienne Puletasi's strong rebounding and inside scoring, the Coyotes kept pace with Central Arizona despite struggling to contain their opponent's perimeter shooting.

The second quarter saw the Coyotes briefly take the lead behind timely three-pointers from Selina Gutierrez and Brianna Mendez. Gutierrez's marksmanship from beyond the arc kept CSN in contention, as she sank three of six attempts during the game. However, Central Arizona's Maroto matched her efforts with pinpoint accuracy from deep and consistent ball movement, helping the Vaqueras head into halftime trailing CSN by just two points, 36-34.

Third Quarter: Central Arizona Surges Ahead

The third quarter proved to be the decisive stretch of the game. Central Arizona erupted for 31 points in the period, with Quintana and Maroto continuing to torch the Coyotes from the perimeter. The Vaqueras shot an impressive 46.9% from three-point range throughout the game, and their hot shooting was on full display during this stretch.

CSN struggled to slow the Vaqueras' offensive onslaught, and turnovers became a critical issue for the Coyotes. CSN committed 24 turnovers in the game, with many coming during Central Arizona's decisive run. Quintana, who finished with a game-high 30 points, drained three three-pointers in the quarter, while Maroto added her own scoring flurry to give the Vaqueras a double-digit lead.

Despite the struggles, CSN's Kayla Terry stepped up off the bench to provide a spark. Terry scored 17 points on 8-11 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds, consistently finding ways to exploit gaps in the Vaqueras' defense. Ajomale remained a bright spot as well, scoring at will in the paint and keeping the Coyotes within striking distance.

Fourth Quarter: CSN Fights Back

CSN entered the fourth quarter trailing by nine points but refused to go down quietly. Ajomale put on a scoring clinic, finishing with a team-high 29 points on 13-21 shooting. Her relentless attacks on the basket and clutch mid-range jumpers helped the Coyotes trim the deficit.

Terry continued her stellar play, dominating the boards and converting key second-chance opportunities. Puletasi, who notched 10 points and nine rebounds, also provided valuable contributions, particularly on the defensive end where she helped limit Central Arizona's points in the paint.

However, every time CSN seemed poised to complete their comeback, Central Arizona responded. Maroto, who finished with 25 points and seven assists, made key plays to steady her team. Her three-pointer with just under two minutes remaining extended the Vaqueras' lead to six and proved to be a dagger for CSN's hopes.

Gutierrez added another clutch three-pointer late to cut the lead to four, but Central Arizona's steady free-throw shooting sealed the victory.

Key Performers

• Saroiya Ajomale (CSN): Ajomale was the heart and soul of the Coyotes' offense, scoring 29 points while adding five rebounds and four assists. Her ability to create her own shot kept CSN competitive throughout.
• Kayla Terry (CSN): Off the bench, Terry recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing her efficiency and knack for being in the right place at the right time.
• Audrey Quintana (Central Arizona): Quintana's game-high 30 points came on 10-25 shooting, including 5-12 from three-point range. Her perimeter shooting and ability to draw fouls made her a constant threat.
• Irene Maroto (Central Arizona): Maroto filled the stat sheet with 25 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds, demonstrating her all-around game and poise in key moments.

Team Comparisons

• Field Goal Percentage: CSN outshot Central Arizona from the field, hitting 54.8% of their shots compared to the Vaqueras' 40.0%.
• Three-Point Shooting: Central Arizona's 15 made three-pointers on 32 attempts (46.9%) were a significant difference-maker, while CSN struggled, shooting just 6-17 (35.3%) from beyond the arc.
• Rebounding: CSN controlled the glass, outrebounding Central Arizona 44-34, with Terry and Puletasi leading the charge.
• Turnovers: The Coyotes' 24 turnovers proved costly, as Central Arizona capitalized on those mistakes to generate critical points.

The Coyotes, now at a pivotal point in their season, will look to address their turnover issues and improve their perimeter defense as they prepare for their next matchup. Despite the loss, there are plenty of positives to take away from their performance, including standout games from Ajomale and Terry.

While CSN fell short in a valiant effort, their performance in Coolidge proved they can compete with top-tier opponents. With continued development and more consistent execution, the Coyotes have the potential to make noise as the season progresses.