Eastern Arizona Falls in Region 1 West District Championship

THATCHER, Ariz. — The top-ranked Eastern Arizona College women's basketball team came up just short in the Region I and West District Championship game Wednesday night, falling 50-51 to Arizona Western College at EAC's Guitteau Gymnasium.

Despite battling back from a slow start, the Monsters were unable to overcome a late basket from the Matadors in the closing seconds, finishing the night as Region I and West District runner-up.

Eastern Arizona struggled to find rhythm early, scoring just four points in the opening quarter as Arizona Western built a 14–4 lead. The Monsters responded in the second period with a strong defensive effort and a 20-point quarter to take a 24–23 lead into halftime.

The two teams traded momentum throughout the second half. Arizona Western and Eastern Arizona were tied 33–33 entering the fourth quarter before the teams battled down to the final possession. A late Matador shot ultimately proved to be the difference in the final seconds.

Eanae Dagons and Esmeralda Enriquez led the Monsters with 14 points each. Dagons added a game-high 10 rebounds to record a double-double, while Enriquez contributed eight rebounds and three assists while shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

Danaeja Romero- Ah Sam added nine points, including two three-pointers, and Sarah Perrussel chipped in five points off the bench.

Eastern Arizona controlled the glass, outrebounding Arizona Western 40–28, including 15 offensive rebounds, but the Monsters were held to 26.7% shooting from the field.

Arizona Western was led by Garance Soulas with 15 points, while Mable Doumbia added 12 points and six rebounds for the Matadors.

With the loss, Eastern Arizona concludes regional play as the Region I and West District runner-up and now turns its attention to the NJCAA National Tournament Selection Show to see if the Monsters receive an at-large bid to the national tournament.

The selection show will announce the final bracket for the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship, and the Monsters remain hopeful their strong season performance will earn them a spot in the national tournament.