NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV – The College of Southern Nevada Lady Coyotes displayed grit and determination but couldn't overcome the Arizona Western College Matadors, falling 79-68 in a closely contested ACCAC conference game. The loss moves the Lady Coyotes to a 20-9 overall record and 10-8 in the conference.

The game began with both teams exchanging leads, but the Matadors managed to pull away gradually, thanks to their consistent shooting and strong defensive efforts. The Matadors led 19-16 after the first quarter and extended their lead by halftime, though the Lady Coyotes kept the game within reach.

Nyah Hardy led the charge for Arizona Western, scoring 22 points, including crucial three-pointers that kept the momentum on their side. Naomy Zonzon-Huyghe also made significant contributions with 16 points and 7 rebounds, proving essential in the paint and on the free-throw line.

The Lady Coyotes were spearheaded by Saroiya Ajomale, who put up a commendable 24 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Kayla Terry added 14 points and matched her intensity on the boards. The team fought hard to close the gap, matching the Matadors' 18 points in the third quarter, but struggled to contain Arizona Western's offense in the crucial final periods.

Arizona Western capitalized on their chances, shooting 40.4% from the field and an impressive 65.7% from the free-throw line, which included making 11 of 17 in the fourth quarter alone to seal the game. The Lady Coyotes, despite their efforts, couldn't match this accuracy, particularly struggling from beyond the arc with a mere 22.2% completion rate.

The Lady Coyotes will look to rebound from this loss as they prepare to host the Southern Nevada All-Stars on Monday night, March 3rd, during their Sophomore Night celebrations, hoping to end the regular season on a high note and gain momentum before the playoffs.