Scottsdale’s Pima Advances to NJCAA National Tournament with Perfect 32–0 Record

Pima Community College's men's basketball team has achieved a remarkable milestone, securing their third consecutive NJCAA Region I, Division II Championship with a decisive 74-49 victory over Scottsdale Community College on Saturday night.

 

This triumph propels the Aztecs to an impeccable 32-0 record, marking the first time in program history they've completed the regular season undefeated.

 

The game commenced with Pima launching an impressive 17-0 run, establishing a commanding 20-2 lead within the first seven minutes.

 

Six different players contributed to this early surge, showcasing the team's depth and cohesion.

 

Despite a brief scoring drought that allowed Scottsdale to narrow the gap to 37-19 by halftime, the Aztecs regained momentum in the second half.

 

Freshman Isaiah Hill's three-pointer extended Pima's lead to 55-28 with 13:09 remaining, effectively sealing the game's outcome.

 

Leading the charge, sophomore Mason Hunt delivered a game-high 19 points on 7-for-17 shooting, earning him the tournament's Most Valuable Player honors.

 

Hill contributed significantly with 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds, four steals, and three blocks, while sophomore Isaac Johnson added 14 points and nine rebounds.

 

On the opposing side, Scottsdale's Davion Harris led his team with 10 points, and Quincy Kirk secured 10 rebounds.

 

Reflecting on the team's performance, Hunt emphasized the pivotal role of their defense in establishing the early lead.

 

He noted that while Scottsdale managed to score later in the game, returning to their defensive strengths in the second half ensured the victory.

 

Head coach Brian Peabody expressed immense pride in his team's resilience and maturity, highlighting their record-setting 35 wins and 34 consecutive victories.

 

He acknowledged the challenges faced after losing top scorers to graduation but praised the current squad's ability to surpass previous benchmarks.

 

With this championship, Pima secures a spot in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, scheduled for March 16-21 in Danville, Illinois.

 

The Aztecs eagerly await the tournament selection show on Tuesday at 5 p.m. local time to learn their seeding and first-round opponent.

 

As they prepare for the national stage, the Aztecs aim to build upon last year's third-place finish and pursue the program's first national title.

 

Their undefeated season and dominant regional performance have set high expectations, and the team is poised to meet the challenge head-on.