Women’s basketball plays in New Mexico for tournament

The Apaches opened up the tournament with the Lady Rangers of Ranger College. The game was an all-out battle the entire 40 minutes, with the Apaches leading by as many as 15 points in the second quarter. The Apaches earned a 31-18 lead over the Lady Rangers going into halftime. A slow start to the second half led to a low-scoring second half where the Apaches scored only five points in the third quarter and eight points in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, the Lady Rangers picked up their intensity and scored 35 of their 53 points in the second half.

Corina Suarez Tudela was the only Apache to finish the game in double-digit points with 17 points. She shot an impressive 50% from the floor and grabbed 12 rebounds. These stats are proof of Tudela securing her first double-double of the season.

In the final matchup of the tournament, the Apaches faced the tournament hosts, and #5 NJCAA ranked New Mexico Junior College. The Thunderbirds dominated the boards with 42 rebounds, outrebounding the Apaches by 11 rebounds. These 42 rebounds led to 17 second-chance points for the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds led by as many as 22 points and won the contest by 12 points.

Three Apaches finished in double-digit scoring; sophomores Tatjana Tatar and Aja Phoumiphat; and freshman Jessenia Lawson. All three finished with 11 points, and Lawson also finished with 12 rebounds.

With these stats, Lawson secured her first double-double of the season.

After the winter break, the women's basketball team will head to Tucson, AZ, to compete in a tournament hosted by Pima Community College. The team will face Snow College, Frank Phillips, and Colorado Northwestern.