COOLIDGE, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Lady Matadors Women's Basketball Team (10-3, 3-3) saw a third-quarter lead disappear in a 71-64 loss to Central Arizona (8-7, 3-3) on Wednesday evening.

Maddison Zugna scored eight of her 15 points in the first quarter, helping the Lady Matadors jump out to a 16-15 lead after the first quarter thanks to a Kristol Ayson three-pointer at the buzzer.

Arizona Western opened up an 11-point lead in the second quarter before taking a 37-28 lead into the break.

The Lady Matadors opened their largest lead of 14 points at 48-34 when Ayson knocked down a three-pointer midway through the third quarter. Central Arizona started the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run to grab a 55-53 lead before Greta Carollo grabbed the lead back at 56-55 with a three-pointer.

The Vaqueras would outscore the Lady Matadors 16-8 to finish the game and come away with the 71-64 win.

Ayson led the Lady Matadors with 20 points while Carollo finished the game with 12 points in the loss.

The Lady Matadors are back on the road on Saturday, January 7 when they head to Chandler for the first meeting of the season with Chandler-Gilbert at 4:00 pm.