MCC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OPENS ACCAC PLAY WITH BACK-TO-BACK CONFERENCE WINS
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mesa Community College | 12 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 60 |
|
Chandler-Gilbert Community College | 17 | 7 | 17 | 13 | 5 | 59 |
Mesa Community College
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
| Game Statistics | Mesa Community College | Chandler-Gilbert Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (22-65) | (17-58) |
| Field Goal % | 33.8% | 29.3% |
| Rebounds | 45 | 40 |
| Assists | 9 | 14 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 16 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Scottsdale Community College (4-3, 0-1) | 19 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 48 |
|
Mesa Community College (5-3, 2-0) | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 58 |
Scottsdale Community College
| Game Statistics | Scottsdale Community College | Mesa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (20-63) | (18-55) |
| Field Goal % | 31.7% | 32.7% |
| Rebounds | 40 | 32 |
| Assists | 3 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 26 | 18 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 13 | 29 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 13 | 10 |
| Pts in the Paint | 26 | 18 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 8 | 4 |
| Bench Pts | 19 | 25 |
No. 15 Women's Basketball opened ACCAC play with authority, picking up two conference wins in four days. The Thunderbirds gutted out an overtime road win at Chandler-Gilbert before returning home to beat No. 25 Scottsdale with a lockdown defensive effort.
MCC 60, Chandler-Gilbert 59 (OT)
Mesa's conference opener delivered all the drama. After trailing by five at halftime, the Thunderbirds surged in the third quarter behind increased defensive pressure and timely scoring to pull even heading into the final period. The teams traded blows late, ultimately sending the game to overtime tied at 54.
In the extra frame, both defenses tightened, setting up a final possession that would define the night. With Mesa down one and 0.6 seconds left, Lakeisha Robinson stepped to the line and delivered the moment of the game as she knocked down both free throws to give MCC a 60–59 lead. CGCC's last-second heave missed, securing the road win for the T-Birds.
Robinson finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, playing a crucial role on both ends. Meisha Caserio added 12 points, while Carmella Gallardo and Amya Bekele each scored 11. The Thunderbirds also won the board battle, grabbing 45 rebounds to Chandler-Gilbert's 40, while holding the Coyotes to 29.3% shooting, a key factor in staying within reach before the late-game heroics.
No. 15 MCC 58, No. 25 Scottsdale 48
Mesa backed up its overtime thriller with a complete performance against No. 25 Scottsdale, winning the game with defensive dominance and opportunistic scoring. The T-Birds forced 26 SCC turnovers, converting them into 29 points, effectively controlling the flow of the game.
Mesa's defense locked in after the first quarter, holding the Artichokes to 8 points in the second and 9 in the third, allowing MCC to take command heading into the final period. The Thunderbirds also capitalized at the line, drawing 21 fouls and going 16–22 on free throws, creating separation in a game where both teams struggled from the field.
Lakeisha Robinson again led Mesa with 15 points off the bench, while Meisha Caserio added 13, and Carmella Gallardo chipped in 10. Amya Bekele anchored the glass with 13 rebounds as MCC improved to 5–3 and remained unbeaten in conference play.
With the two ACCAC victories, Mesa moves to 5–3 overall (2–0 ACCAC). The Thunderbirds return to action Wednesday on the road at Glendale Community College.