YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western women's basketball team (19-10, 12-3) saw its four-game winning streak come to an end, falling to Eastern Arizona College (28-1,15-0) 71-44 on Saturday afternoon at The House.

Garance Soulas, Jessica Liena and Kimora Jenkins all tied for the team lead in scoring, each finishing with nine points in the loss.

The Matadors struggled to find an offensive rhythm from the outset. Eastern Arizona opened the game on a dominant 19-1 run and held Arizona Western to just five points in the first quarter. The offensive woes continued into the second quarter, and the Matadors went into the halftime break trailing 36-15.

Arizona Western showed signs of life in the third quarter, matching its entire first-half output by scoring 15 points. Despite the improved scoring, the Matadors were unable to cut into the deficit as Eastern Arizona maintained its significant lead throughout the second half, winning the final quarter 16-14 to seal the victory.

Turnovers and rebounding proved to be the difference in the game. The Matadors committed 26 turnovers which led to 32 points for Eastern Arizona, and they were outrebounded 41-24. Liena led the team with five rebounds while Chen Pan and Queren Loubaki each dished out a team-high two assists.

Up Next

The Lady Matadors will open Region I postseason play on Saturday, March 7th. Who they will play is yet to be determined as there is a three-way tie for third place in the conference and tiebreakers and a play-in game will take place early next week. Arizona Western is the #2 seed and will host the #3 seed.