NJCAA REGION I DII WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS PREVIEW
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Scottsdale Community College | 23 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 73 |
|
Mesa Community College | 12 | 17 | 14 | 22 | 6 | 16 | 87 |
Scottsdale Community College
| Game Statistics | Scottsdale Community College | Mesa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (28-75) | (29-74) |
| Field Goal % | 37.3% | 39.2% |
| Rebounds | 39 | 43 |
| Assists | 18 | 16 |
| Turnovers | 21 | 15 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 17 | 20 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 2 | 12 |
| Pts in the Paint | 32 | 28 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 2 | 2 |
| Bench Pts | 25 | 29 |
A trip to the NJCAA Region I Division II Championship will be on the line Wednesday night as No. 2 seed Mesa Community College hosts No. 3 seed Scottsdale Community College in the semifinals at Theo Heap Gymnasium. The rivals met three times during the regular season, with Mesa winning two of the three matchups both victories coming on its home floor.
Mesa claimed the first meeting of the season on Dec. 6 with a 58–48 victory in a defensive battle. Despite shooting just 32.7% from the field, the T-Birds turned defense into offense by forcing turnovers and converting them into 29 points, offsetting an early offensive struggle. Lakeisha Robinson led the way with 15 points and six rebounds, while Meisha Caserio added 13 points and Carmella Gallardo chipped in 10 on efficient shooting. Mesa made things difficult for Scottsdale forcing them to take tough shots as the Artichokes shot 31.7% overall and just 18.8% from three-point range.
Scottsdale answered in the second meeting on Jan. 21, defending its home court with a 72–63 win behind one of the series' most dominant individual performances. Vanessa Sepulveda scored 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting to pace the Artichokes, while Landin Kelley added 18 points and seven rebounds. Scottsdale shot 41.8% from the field and took control with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring Mesa 24–17 over the final period. Robinson again led the T-Birds with 15 points, Amya Bekele contributed 14 points and six rebounds, and Sydnee Patterson controlled the glass with seven rebounds, but turnovers and late-game execution favored Scottsdale.
The most recent meeting on Feb. 14 showcased Mesa at its peak. The T-Birds surged to a 23–9 lead after one quarter and never relinquished control in a 64–46 victory at Theo Heap Gymnasium. Gallardo delivered a game-changing performance with 26 points (25 in the first half), knocking down five three-pointers while adding six steals on the defensive end. Robinson continued her steady play with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Bekele recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. Mesa's defense suffocated Scottsdale throughout the afternoon, holding the Artichokes to just 23.3% shooting and 2-of-16 from beyond the arc. Mia Davis led Scottsdale with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Sepulveda added 11, but the early deficit proved insurmountable for the Artichokes.
The semifinal matchup will feature several key players who have shaped the series. Gallardo has fueled Mesa's offense with perimeter shooting and defensive playmaking. Robinson has delivered steady scoring and rebounding in a spark-off-the-bench role, while Caserio's floor-general ability keeps the offense organized. Bekele's physical presence inside provides balance on both ends of the floor.
For Scottsdale, Sepulveda remains the primary scoring threat and the engine behind the Artichokes' offense when she finds efficiency. Davis contributes across the stat sheet with scoring and rebounding, and Kelley anchors the interior with physical play and second-chance opportunities.
Mesa enters the semifinal a home court advantage, where its defensive intensity, turnover creation, and early momentum have dictated the tempo of the matchup. Scottsdale's path to an upset will depend on efficient shooting, rebounding control, and slowing the pace to limit Mesa's transition opportunities.
Ultimately, the semifinal could hinge on three key factors: perimeter shooting, turnover margin, and which team establishes control early. Mesa has thrived when forcing mistakes and igniting runs behind Gallardo's scoring bursts, while Scottsdale has proven capable of winning when its offense operates efficiently and it controls the game late.
With the Red Out crowd expected to create a postseason atmosphere inside Theo Heap Gym, the decisive chapter of the rivalry will unfold with a championship berth at stake — and Mesa looking to defend its home floor once more.
No. 2 Mesa Community College will host No. 3 Scottsdale Community College in the NJCAA Region I DII Semifinals on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00 PM inside Theo Heap Gym as part of the Red Out.
Ticket prices are listed below and can be purchased on GoFan:
General Admission — $10
Student, Senior, Military/Veterans — $7
Children under 12 - FREE