Lenz, Matadors win another thriller against Central
Central Arizona's Lonnie Pearson had gotten past Arizona Western's Renan Lenz and nothing but daylight between him and the tying bucket with four seconds left.
But Lenz was able to wrap his arms around the Vaquero guard, sending him to the free throw line instead of giving CAC a sure two points.
The plan worked. Pearson made just one of two shots and the Matadors held on for a 75-72 win Wednesday at The House in an Arizona Community College Athletic Conference battle.
“I just felt like I couldn't have him score or get the and-one,” Lenz said. “That's what coach tells us all the time. It was big because he missed one of the free throws.”
Aaseen Dixon hit made a bucket with 2:40 left to give the Matadors (21-5 overall, 12-4 ACCAC) a 73-63 lead. But it was the last bucket the Vaqueros (14-9, 8-8) would allow AWC to get. They scored seven straight to get the lead down to three with 1:02 left. Marvin Whitt had a chance to pad the lead out with a one-and-one free throw chance, but missed the front end. Pearson connected on one of two free throws down the other end to cut the lead to 73-71, then the Matadors threw away the inbounds pass to give the Vaqueros the ball with 14 seconds left.
Lenz finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while fellow big man Mateus Oliveira had 12 points. Coach Charles Harral said it wasn't just the best combined game for the duo, but for the team as well.
“They came in here fighting for their lives and wanted to stay in the playoff race,” Lenz said. “Hats off to them, they're a great team. We beat them on the last possession both times we played them this year.”
The Matadors won the first meeting this year 83-81 on a Lester Medford jumper. This time around was almost as thrilling. AWC led throughout the first half, then the teams went through a six-minute stretch where the lead changed on every score. The Vaqueros came out of that stretch and went on an 11-2 run for a 58-50 lead with 9:51 left.
But the Matadors exploded at that point, scoring 21 of the next 24 points to take a 10 point lead. Lenz and Oliveira each had a dunk in that stretch, including a give-and-go from Oliveira to Lenz.
“Me and him, we haven't had too many straight good games,” Lenz said. “But we're getting good now. That's what matters.”
All five Matadors scored in double figures: Oliveira, Lenz, Medford (13) and Marvin Whitt, who had a team-high 19. DesJuan Newton led all scorers with 21.
