After early scare, Mats pull away to top Phoenix
February 04, 2012 11:18 PM
The way the NJCAA playoffs are structured, 7-16 Phoenix College is in the midst of a playoff battle, as is 21-2 Arizona Western.
Trying to sell his players on just how motivated a team searching for a playoff berth can be has proven difficult for Matador head coach Pat Cunningham.
He now has some proof.
The Bears (7-17 overall, 4-10 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) put a scare into the Matadors (22-2, 14-1) in the first half, but AWC dominated the second half in an 86-55 win Saturday at The House.
The Matadors trailed 38-33 with 16:33 left in the game. The tied it at 38, then after giving up a bucket to the Bears , they'd never trail again. They went on a 19-1 run and also ended the game on a 21-7 spurt.
“We keep telling them that, that these teams are battling for playoff spots,” Cunningham said. “They're going to come out and play their hearts out, and if they happen to get a win it does a lot for their side of things.”
Cunningham said he thought his team didn't have much chemistry in the early going.
“I told them somewhere in America there is a team that shouldn't be winning a game that is going to win. Don't let it be Yuma, Arizona, tonight,” Cunningham said. “Somewhere some team is going to be upset by someone who has no business competing. Not that Phoenix doesn't, but don't let it be us.”
AWC scored the first seven points and led 21-14. PC took its first lead at 25-23 with 4:45 left in the first half and wouldn't trail again for the next 10:26.
Lisette Longomo had her fourth straight monster game for the Matadors as she stated her case for her second consecutive ACCAC Player of the Week honor. She had a game-high 29 and four steals. Jolie Olingende had 16 points and 14 rebounds, 11 on the offensive glass. Emilie Muanandibu had 15 points and 11 boards, and Jade Washington had 13 points as all powered a 57-point second half.
The Matadors host Central Arizona on Wednesday. The Vaqueros handed the Matadors their only ACCAC loss of the season so far, and an AWC win would tie the teams at the top of the Region I Division I standings. Even with that looming on the horizon, Cunningham said his team's sluggish start was not because the Matadors were looking to Wednesday.
“I just think these teams are really gearing up to play against us,” Cunningham said. “We're at that point in the season where we're a little banged up and we're taking everybody's best shot.”
Trying to sell his players on just how motivated a team searching for a playoff berth can be has proven difficult for Matador head coach Pat Cunningham.
He now has some proof.
The Bears (7-17 overall, 4-10 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) put a scare into the Matadors (22-2, 14-1) in the first half, but AWC dominated the second half in an 86-55 win Saturday at The House.
The Matadors trailed 38-33 with 16:33 left in the game. The tied it at 38, then after giving up a bucket to the Bears , they'd never trail again. They went on a 19-1 run and also ended the game on a 21-7 spurt.
“We keep telling them that, that these teams are battling for playoff spots,” Cunningham said. “They're going to come out and play their hearts out, and if they happen to get a win it does a lot for their side of things.”
Cunningham said he thought his team didn't have much chemistry in the early going.
“I told them somewhere in America there is a team that shouldn't be winning a game that is going to win. Don't let it be Yuma, Arizona, tonight,” Cunningham said. “Somewhere some team is going to be upset by someone who has no business competing. Not that Phoenix doesn't, but don't let it be us.”
AWC scored the first seven points and led 21-14. PC took its first lead at 25-23 with 4:45 left in the first half and wouldn't trail again for the next 10:26.
Lisette Longomo had her fourth straight monster game for the Matadors as she stated her case for her second consecutive ACCAC Player of the Week honor. She had a game-high 29 and four steals. Jolie Olingende had 16 points and 14 rebounds, 11 on the offensive glass. Emilie Muanandibu had 15 points and 11 boards, and Jade Washington had 13 points as all powered a 57-point second half.
The Matadors host Central Arizona on Wednesday. The Vaqueros handed the Matadors their only ACCAC loss of the season so far, and an AWC win would tie the teams at the top of the Region I Division I standings. Even with that looming on the horizon, Cunningham said his team's sluggish start was not because the Matadors were looking to Wednesday.
“I just think these teams are really gearing up to play against us,” Cunningham said. “We're at that point in the season where we're a little banged up and we're taking everybody's best shot.”
