ODESSA, Tx. – The No. 17 ranked Arizona Western Matadors Women's Basketball team (2-1) earned a marquee non-conference win, outlasting No. 9 New Mexico Junior College 83-81 in overtime on Thursday afternoon at the OC Sports Center in Odessa, Texas, in a top 20 NJCAA showdown decided by grit, late-game execution and standout individual efforts.

Mable Doumbia powered the Matadors with a game-high 21 points, including eight field goals and five clutch free throws, while also collecting four steals, three assists and delivering the game-tying free throw with two seconds left to force overtime.

Arizona Western set the tone early, jumping out to a 22-15 lead after the first quarter behind aggressive defense and balanced scoring. The Matadors held a 37-33 advantage at halftime and built their largest cushion of 10 points late in the third quarter. New Mexico Junior College responded with a furious rally, closing the gap and taking a one-point lead on a three-pointer with six seconds left in regulation. Doumbia remained steady at the line, knotting the score at 70 and sending the contest into a dramatic overtime.

The extra period saw Chen Pan open with a three-pointer, giving the Matadors a lead they would not relinquish. Garance Soulas fueled the offense with 20 points and five rebounds, scoring key baskets in the overtime surge. Arizona Western led by as many as six in the extra frame and held off a final charge from the Thunderbirds, with Doumbia icing the game at the free-throw line in the closing seconds.

Pan finished with 14 points, six rebounds and six assists, facilitating the offense and providing a steady presence down the stretch. Queren Loubaki contributed 10 points and two steals in an efficient effort before fouling out, while Aline Mastelic added eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. The Matadors forced 21 turnovers, grabbed 11 steals and edged the Thunderbirds 43-42 on the boards, overcoming foul trouble and demonstrating the depth and resilience of a national top 20 team.and 

"I'm really proud of our group in finding a way to win," Arizona Western head coach Chelsea Dewey said. "I'm proud of our fight and executing at the end. It wasn't perfect but we got those key rebounds. It's a young group and that's why it went from a 10-point lead to a tie real quick. We'll keep battling and that is really good experience for down the stretch." 

Arizona Western continues non-conference play in Odessa, Texas, facing Odessa College on Friday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m.