Matador men win, women loses in finales

Arizona Western coach Kelly Green adjusted his defense heading into Friday's regular season finale at Central Arizona.

After a 52-point first half, he adjusted back to normal.

The Matadors trailed by as much as 11 in the first half before rallying for a 98-81 win in a Arizona Community College Athletic Conference contest.

"We found out in the 1st half that it was a bad idea, so I told the guys at halftime that the 52 points we gave up wasn't their fault and to go back to what they normally do," Green said.

Rafael Crescencio led the Matadors (26-3, 18-2 ACCAC) with 26 points against CAC (15-15, 11-11).

The Matadors will host the NJCAA Region II final March 8 at 7:30 p.m.

For the women Yohanna Morton scored 26 in an effort to send the Matadors into the postseason, but she was the only player in double figures as the Vaqueros (30-0, 20-0) rolled to the win.

AWC (21-9, 15-7) needed a win or a Cochise loss; neither happened.

After a tie at 7, the game was not close again as the Matadors were never within 12 in the second half.

It marks the fourth straight year that AWC has been edged out of the playoffs on the final night.