MIDLAND, Texas – The Arizona Western College women's basketball team (3-3) showcased a gritty defensive effort but fell 60-49 to Midland College on Friday afternoon in non-conference play at the Langford Chaparral Center. After a challenging first quarter, the Lady Matadors forced 25 turnovers and recorded a season-high 17 steals, battling back throughout the contest.

Mable Doumbia led the Lady Matadors with an all-around performance, finishing with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals and 3 assists in 38 minutes. Doumbia sparked the team's comeback bid in the third quarter with back-to-back three-pointers and aggressive defense.

Midland set the early tone with a 21-5 lead after the opening quarter as Arizona Western struggled to find its shooting rhythm, connecting on just one of 15 attempts from the field. The Lady Matadors responded with a 14-8 run in the second quarter, fueled by defensive pressure and key buckets from Kimora Jenkins and Garance Soulas, trimming the halftime deficit to 29-19.

Arizona Western continued to chip away in the second half. Doumbia's pair of threes in the third quarter cut the Midland lead to single digits, and the Matadors' defense forced a series of turnovers to keep them within reach. Despite closing within 10 points late in the fourth, Midland answered with clutch baskets to secure the win.

Chen Pan added 8 points, 2 steals and an assist, while Jenkins contributed 5 points across a team-high 32 minutes. Aline Mastelic and Soulas each scored 6 points, with Mastelic delivering efficient shooting off the bench and Soulas collecting 6 rebounds and 4 steals before fouling out. The Lady Matadors bench added 12 points in a physical contest that saw two Arizona Western players foul out.

Up Next

Arizona Western continues play at the Midland College Classic, facing Lamar Community College on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. 

You can watch the game here.