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A photo of Amya Bekele, Lucy Lohman, Maddy Brown, & Meisha Ceserio with score graphic of Women's Basketballs win over South Mountain.
A photo of Amya Bekele, Lucy Lohman, Maddy Brown, & Meisha Ceserio with score graphic of Women's Basketballs win over South Mountain.
Posted: Mar 01, 2026

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS SOUTH MOUNTAIN ON SOPHOMORE DAY

No. 14 Mesa Community College Women's Basketball closed the regular season in dominant fashion Saturday, defeating South Mountain 90-39 to reach the 20-win mark for the sixth consecutive season and the 15th time under head coach Kori Stephenson.

The Thunderbirds (20-7, 14-4 ACCAC) wasted no time establishing control, erupting for 29 points in the opening quarter and building a commanding 52-15 halftime advantage. Mesa maintained the pressure throughout the second half, outscoring South Mountain in every period to secure the decisive victory.

Mesa's balanced attack featured four players in double figures. Meisha Caserio and Sydnee Patterson led the way with 18 points apiece, while Lakeisha Robinson added 17 points off the bench. Carmella Gallardo contributed 15 points along with five assists and four steals as the T-Birds dictated tempo on both ends of the floor.

The Thunderbirds dominated inside, holding a 36-2 advantage in points in the paint while forcing 28 turnovers that resulted in 39 points. Mesa also controlled the glass with a 47-27 rebounding edge.

Following the game, the program honored its four sophomores, Maddy Brown, Amya Bekele, Meisha Caserio, and Lucy Lohman in a postgame ceremony celebrating their contributions to the Thunderbirds' sustained success.

The victory continues one of the premier runs in NJCAA Division II, as Mesa has now reached 20 victories in six straight seasons while maintaining postseason positioning atop the ACCAC standings.

Up Next

Mesa enters postseason play as the No. 2 seed and will host No. 3 Scottsdale on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the NJCAA Region I Division II Women's Basketball Semifinals. The Thunderbirds will look to protect home court and advance one step closer to another Region I championship.