SIGNAL PEAK — Going into the second half, the Central Arizona College Vaqueras trailed by nine points. In need of a late game surge, CAC turned up the intensity, putting the visiting Arizona Western Matadors on their heels and making them fight for a win. Ultimately, through their solid team chemistry and unselfish play, the Vaqueras stunned the Matadors, waking up at the right moment and stealing a 71-64 win. Throughout the first half, the Vaqueras were able to find solid looks at the basket, but could not get them to fall.

CAC found themselves in foul trouble in the first half as well, allowing the Matadors to go 8-10 on free throw shots in the opening half. Arizona Western forward Maddison Zugna took advantage of the lackluster Vaquera defense, scoring 10 of her 15 points in the first two quarters. In the second half, CAC tightened the screws and went to work, quickly making the game competitive again and coming within reach of the lead. Sophomore guard Senya Rabouin used her ball handling and blazing speed to her advantage, slicing to the basket and connecting on her free throw attempts. Rabouin finished the game leading the Vaqueras in the scoring department, with 19 total points in the contest.

"It is definitely a carryover from the Las Vegas tournament that we played in before the winter break," Vaqueras head coach Geoff Golden said about his team's performance. "We played some really good teams and I think we found some momentum that was on display tonight. They have been playing really hard in practice and getting back into our groove. They've been working hard and are playing well together right now." Although she started the game on the bench, former Vista Grande standout Jayla Scott played meaningful minutes and didn't disappoint, scoring 10 points off the bench and making her presence felt on defense. Golden detailed that Scott has taken on a larger role for the team and has embraced it, never backing down from the challenge and said that she is coming into her own as a collegiate player.

"She has grown a lot coming in, she was forced into her new role and thrown into the fire, and she has done really well with that," he said. "I think it has actually sped up her development because we are asking so much of her, but she is really hitting her stride and I think that will only continue moving forward." The win takes the Vaqueras over the .500 mark on the year with an 8-7 record. For Golden, he just wants his team to continue to develop and build on the team chemistry that has formed this year.

"At this point, we just have to keep working hard and get our confidence up," he said. "We are going to believe in each other and believe in our coaching staff, and I think that we are starting to see some of the benefits of that mindset."

The Vaqueras will host Glendale Community College Saturday at 4pm