YUMA, Ariz. - Arizona Western College faces Central Arizona College in a crucial conference matchup. The Matadors enter at 19-6, and on a five-game winning streak, while the Vaqueros look to halt a five-game slide. The teams have already battled twice in competitive, high-scoring games decided by 10 and 4 points.

About the Matadors

Arizona Western's recent surge has been fueled by balance and physicality—owning the glass and living at the free-throw line—along with star turns in key moments. In the most recent meeting on January 29, the Matadors went 38-for-41 at the stripe (92.7%) and overcame a field-goal deficit by dominating the foul game and second-chance opportunities.

• #10 Marsai Mason (G/F) — Team's leading scorer at 16.9 PPG; erupted for 38 points, 19 rebounds, and 20-for-22 FT vs. CAC on Jan. 29. • #4 Matt Anglo (G) — 13.9 PPG; burned CAC for 27 in the first meeting and is a consistent perimeter threat. • #13 Illiam Fevry (G) — Instant-offense reserve; 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting in just 17 minutes in the last game. • #14 Mario Brunetto (F) — 10.2 PPG; clutch at the line with a 9-for-9 FT performance en route to 13 points in the last matchup. • #33 Paora Winitana (F) — Versatile contributor; posted 15 points, 6 boards, and 2 steals in the recent win over CAC. • Team advantages — Rebounding edge and a pronounced ability to draw fouls; controlled the glass and free-throw battle in both wins over CAC.

About the Vaqueros

Central Arizona has dropped five straight but has proven it can score with Arizona Western, posting 98 and 85 points in two narrow defeats. The Vaqueros lean into pace and perimeter volume—attempting 35 threes in the most recent meeting—and showed they can be efficient (11-for-27 from three, 40.7%) in the first game. They also matched AWC physically at the rim, nearly splitting points in the paint (50–48) last time out.

• #21 Brayden Gant (G) — 15.3 PPG; led with 27 points (four threes) in the last meeting. • #3 Tayshaun Jackson (G) — 14.1 PPG; drilled seven threes and scored 25 in the first matchup. • #1 Luke Leatherwood (G) — 13.6 PPG; steady presence, added 17 in the most recent contest. • #4 Shawn Spencer (G) — Primary distributor; posted an 11-point, 10-assist double-double last game. • #13 Nathan Wanjohi (F) — Frontcourt factor; 16 points and 9 rebounds in the first meeting. • Keys for CAC — Defensive plan for Mason, three-point efficiency, and above all, discipline: CAC committed 23 fouls last time while AWC went 38-for-41 at the line.

Key Storylines

• A tale of two streaks — AWC's five straight wins vs. CAC's five-game skid. • The Mason matchup — 38 points and 19 boards in the last meeting; CAC must contain him without fouling. • Whistle watch — AWC's 38-for-41 FT to CAC's 12 attempts was the difference despite CAC making more field goals (39–33). • Pace and space — CAC's three-point volume can be an equalizer; previous games were high-scoring and could come down to timely stops. • Series snapshot — AWC leads the all-time series 18–2, but this season's meetings have been tight (10 and 4 points). • Big-picture context — With a 19–6 mark and nine straight wins, AWC's profile is rising as both teams jostle for conference position.

Where to watch

Today's tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm MST in "The House" on the Arizona Western Campus. The game will also be livestreamed on the Matador Sports Stream with Scott Gross and Patrick Cunningham on the call. Today's game theme is Heart Health and Valentines Day, fans are encouraged to wear red. 

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