YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Lady Matadors (11-5, 4-5) lost their second consecutive game, falling to No. 10 ranked Eastern Arizona (17-0, 10-0) 68-58 on Saturday night in Thatcher, Ariz.

Kristol Ayson led the Lady Matadors in scoring with 14 points and has now scored in double figures in every game this season.

Arizona Western got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 5-0 lead after an Ayson jumper and a Greta Carollo three-pointer. Easter Arizona answered with a run of their own, scoring six straight points to take the lead. Ayson gave the Lady Matadors an 11-10 lead with a layup and Arizona Western finished the quarter on an 8-2 run, taking a 17-12 lead on a Maddison Zugna buzzer-beating shot from the in the lane.

Zugna ended the game as the Lady Matadors' second-leading scorer with 13 points. Carollo scored 12 points in the loss.

Eastern opened the second quarter on an 8-0 run before the Lady Matadors started chipping away. Lime Okada hit a running floater to pull the Lady Matadors within a point at 25-24 as part of a 6-0 run eventually giving the Lady Matadors a 28-25 lead. Eastern Arizona closed the half with a 7-2 spurt, taking a 32-30 advantage at the break.

Okada scored eight points and dished out a team-high four assists while Evie Curtis scored her first basket in her career, scoring two points.

Arizona Western opened a 33-32 lead early in the third quarter on a Zugna three-point play. The Gila Monsters opened up a 48-40 lead prior to the Matadors using a run to cut the lead to 50-48 with Ayson scoring the final five points of the third quarter. Eastern Arizona took control of the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Lady Matadors 18-10.

The Lady Matadors return home on Wednesday, January 18, when they host Yavapai at 7:30 pm at the House Gymnasium. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors (Over 65) and military. Arizona Western College students and employees get in free with AWC ID.