YUMA, Ariz. - Arizona Western College hosts rival Central Arizona College for a crucial late-season conference matchup. The Lady Matadors enter at 15-9, while the Vaqueras sit at 15-10. Both teams are looking to rebound from recent losses, and AWC aims to complete a season sweep after taking the first two meetings.

About Arizona Western

Arizona Western brings a balanced attack and a recent edge in the series. The Matadors have won three straight over Central Arizona, including a 58-56 defensive battle at home on Jan. 10 and an 83-69 road win on Jan. 29. AWC has four players averaging at least 9.5 points per game and has leveraged efficiency, rebounding, and defense to control the matchup—shooting 50.8% from the field and 45.0% from three in the most recent win, dominating points in the paint 44-22, and winning the glass in both meetings (34-27 and 36-32). Their defense has consistently forced turnovers that fuel transition offense, converting 23 points off turnovers in the rematch.

• #22 Mable Doumbia (G) — Named NJCAA DI women's basketball player of the week and ACCAC women's basketball player of the week. Team's leading scorer at 14.6 PPG; posted 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in the last meeting. • #3 Garance Soulas (G) — Erupted for a season-high 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting in the road win. • #1 Chen Pan (G) — Reliable 11.9 PPG scorer; had 23 of AWC's 58 points in the first win and added 15 in the rematch. Pan's scoring has dipped as of late, failing to reach double digits in her last tow games. • #5 Kimora Jenkins (G) — A two-way contributor at 9.7 PPG; grabbed 9 rebounds with 11 points and 4 assists in the rematch. • #24 Marta Vieira (G) — Defensive-minded guard who impacts the boards (5 rebounds in the last meeting; 7 in the first).

About Central Arizona

Central Arizona counters with star power and perimeter punch. The Vaqueras are led by one of the league's top-scoring duos in Tianna Knighton (17.7 PPG) and Aniyah Riddell (17.3 PPG). When CAC's three-point shooting is on—9-for-23 in the last matchup—the offense can put pressure on AWC. To flip the script, they must clean up turnovers (20 in the two-point loss and 19 in the 14-point loss) and capitalize at the free-throw line after going 11-for-22 in the first meeting.

• #22 Tianna Knighton (G) — 17.7 PPG; hit four threes and scored 24 in the rematch. • #24 Aniyah Riddell (F) — 17.3 PPG; tallied 14 points and 7 rebounds in the first meeting. • #4 Jordis Reisner (G) — Stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1; added 13 points, 6 assists, and 6 steals in Game 2. • #2 Saniya Jones (G) — Interior presence and top rebounder; grabbed 7 boards in the most recent matchup. • #5 Ella Reisner (G) — 9.2 PPG playmaker and shooter who helps space the floor.

Key Storylines

AWC seeks to close a season sweep at home and secure at least the #2 seed in the upcoming conference playoffs. CAC looks to break through behind its top scorers. The turnover battle, paint production, and perimeter shooting will shape the outcome.

• Season sweep on the line: AWC has won three straight in the series, including 58-56 (home, Jan. 10) and 83-69 (road, Jan. 29). All-time series stands 15-13 in favor of AWC. • Turnover swing: CAC committed 20 and 19 turnovers in the two meetings; AWC turned those into 23 points off turnovers in the rematch. • Paint and boards: AWC controlled the interior (44-22 points in the paint in the rematch) and won the glass in both games (34-27, 36-32). CAC's upset path hinges on ball security and hot three-point shooting (9-for-23 last game).

Where to Watch

Today's tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm MST in "The House" on the Arizona Western Campus. The game will also be livestreamed on the Matador Sports Stream with Jalen Fong and Patrick Cunningham on the call. Today's game theme is Heart Health and Valentines Day, fans are encouraged to wear red. 

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