THATCHER, Ariz. - Arizona Western College women's basketball (15-8,8-1) hits the road for a high-stakes ACCAC rematch with Eastern Arizona College. The Gila Monsters this week are ranked #1 in the latest NJCAA DI polls, they roll into tonight's contest at 22-1 and a 21-game win streak. Arizona Western enters on a four-game surge following a narrow 56-53 setback against EAC at home on January 24. With the last two meetings decided by a combined four points, expect another possession-by-possession finish with conference and national implications. Arizona Western's Mable Doumbia was just named this week's NJCAA DI Player of the Week following last week's performances in which she averaged a double-double and six steals per game. 

About Arizona Western

The Matadors are surging with four straight convincing wins and a profile built on shooting efficiency and interior defense. In the Jan. 24 matchup, AWC outshot EAC by nearly 15 percentage points and recorded eight blocks. If the Matadors can limit the Gila Monsters to one shot per possession, their efficiency and rim protection provide a clear path to flipping the rematch. 

• #22 Mable Doumbia (G) — Team-leading 14.3 PPG; 7.9 RPG; had 15 points and 6 rebounds in the last meeting before fouling out. Staying on the floor is pivotal. • #1 Chen Pan (G) — 12.3 PPG; held to 3 points on 1-for-11 shooting in the last matchup. A bounce-back game would boost AWC's offense. • #3 Garance Soulas (G) — 10.0 PPG with solid rebounding (7 boards in the last meeting); two-way presence in a physical contest. • #5 Kimora Jenkins (G) — 9.4 PPG; generated 3 steals against EAC and can turn defense into offense. • #24 Marta Vieira (G) — 5.7 PPG; a timely scoring spark will be valuable against EAC's depth.

About #1 Eastern Arizona

Eastern Arizona arrives as the #1 ranked team in the nation at 22-1, winners of 21 straight and atop the ACCAC standings. Eastern Arizona leads Arizona Western by one game in the conference standings. The Gila Monsters' overwhelming rebounding—especially on the offensive glass—creates extra possessions that can overcome cold shooting nights, and their 19-player depth sustains high defensive intensity. EAC leads the all-time series 15-11, but the margins have been razor-thin: 56-53 this season and 51-50 to AWC last season.

• #0 Esmeralda Enriquez (G) — Leading scorer at 14.5 PPG; held to 3 points (1-9) last meeting and primed for a response. • #24 Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam (G) — Dropped 14 points with four threes vs. AWC; key spacer against interior resistance. • #11 Lucia Auza (G) — Stuffed the sheet in the 56-53 win: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals. • #4 Eanae Dagons (G) — 9.1 PPG; relentless hustle with 5 offensive boards and 4 steals in the last meeting. • #22 Stephany Goncalves (G) — Stabilizer on the glass and as a facilitator (7 rebounds, 3 assists last time out).

KEY MATCHUPS

• The Juggernaut vs. the Hot Hand: EAC's 22-1 mark and 21 straight wins meet an AWC squad that has won four in a row; AWC's only loss in its last five came by three points to EAC. • Defensive grinders: The last two meetings were 56-53 (EAC) and 51-50 (AWC) — physical, low-scoring battles likely to be decided late. • Battle of the boards: On Jan. 24, AWC shot 46.7% vs. EAC's 32.1%, but EAC grabbed 20 offensive rebounds to AWC's 4 — the decisive margin. AWC also posted 8 blocks to EAC's 0.

WHERE TO WATCH

The game will be streamed live here: https://www.youtube.com/@eacmonsters

Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm MST.