Ottesen too much for cold-shooting Matadors

Arizona Western had problems shooting. Katrina Ottesen had no such issues.

The Central Arizona guard made seven of her 12 3-point shots as the No. 3 Vaqueras took care of the cold-shooting Matadors 82-70 on Wednesday at The House.

The win give the Vaqueras (24-1 overall, 16-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) a 2-1/2 game lead over the seventh-ranked Matadors (21-3, 13-2) in the ACCAC and the sweep of the season series, meaning Central is likely to host AWC in the NJCAA Region I Division I final should both teams make it that far.

Ottesen finished with 29 points to lead all scorers in playing all 40 minutes for Central coach Denise Cardenas — a Yuma native and former Kofa standout.

“I had to play her the entire game because even when her shots are not on, her on the floor — she's a threat,” Cardenas said. “She's going to go to the line and knock them down. If she's open on a three, chances are it's going in. She's just really big for us and has come a long way for us.”

While Ottesen helped Central shoot 52.9 percent as a team, the Matadors shot 35.5 percent from the floor with no player shooting better than 50 percent.

“They finished their plays and we didn't,” AWC coach Patrick Cunningham said. “We hung around and did a good job, but it comes down to making shots. They made them at a higher percentage.”

The Matadors' last lead was 16-15. They drew to within 46-45 after being down nine at halftime but never got closer after the Vaqueras' ripped off a 9-0 run.

Lisette Longomo was the sharpshooter for the Matadors, shooting 8-for-17 with 18 points. AWC center Jolie Olingende had 23 points and 11 rebounds for AWC but was just 9-for-23 from the floor, almost entirely in the paint.

Cunningham said the depth of the Vaqueras was too much.

“The game speeds up a little bit. They have 15 athletes they practice every day and get to play at a high speed. We're trying to stay healthy, and it's harder for us to simulate game situations. That's just the way it goes. You have to be able to finish plays.”

AWC had a 21-6 edge on the offensive glass and forced 18 turnovers while committing 13.

But Ottesen proved to be too much for the Matadors.

“She geared it up,” Cunningham said. “We knew she could shoot it. She's got a quick release but we just have to keep going at her. They did a nice job of getting her touches and she knocked them down. Give them credit — they got their best player the ball and she made the shots.”