Vaqueras eclipse century mark in blowout of Tohono O'odham
By ED PETRUSKA Contributing Writer Dec 8, 2019 Pinal Central

SIGNAL PEAK — Surpassing 100 points for the third time this season was virtually a given for the Central Arizona College women's basketball team in the wake of Saturday's rip-roaring first quarter against Tohono O'odham.

The sixth-ranked Vaqueras bolted to a 13-0 lead in the first three minutes. They led 38-12 going into the second period before cruising to a 102-60 victory at the George Young Activity Center.

"We came out strong, we were hitting some shots and we were aggressive," CAC coach Denise Cardenas said. "I liked the effort."

Makayla Pippin netted four of her six 3-pointers in the first quarter and finished with 34 points for the Vaqueras (9-1, 5-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference). Also reaching double figures for Central were Denali Hughes with 23 points, followed by Ariana Davis and

Jenay Borjorquez with 12 apiece and Ayanna Clark with 11.

The Vaqueras took 32 shots in the opening period, making 13 – including five 3-pointers. They scored 11 points off 12 turnovers by the Division II Jegos (5-6, 1-4 ACCAC) and had 11 second-chance points.

Almost every pass and every shot by Tohono O'odham was contested.

"No matter who we're playing, we have to guard everybody," Cardenas said. "We can't take anybody lightly, no matter who we're playing. It's a matter of coming out strong and staying consistent."

Central led 57-26 at halftime and 77-39 going into the fourth quarter. They had a 24-6 advantage in second-chance points and outscored the Jegos 20-7 in points off turnovers.

The Vaqueras shot 43 percent from the field, going 36 for 84 overall and 8 for 24 on 3-pointers. They also attempted 37 free throws, making 22.

Tohono O'odham came in averaging 73.4 points, sixth among the ACCAC's 12 teams. But the Jegos made just 3 of 12 shots in the first quarter, 4 of 19 in the second and 4 of 12 in third before going 8 for 16 in the fourth to finish at 32 percent.

CAC forced 18 turnovers in the first half, converting them into 15 points. The 42-point margin of victory for the Vaqueras was a season best in conference play.

Pippin, the ACCAC Division I Player of the Week for Nov. 25-30, tallied 16 points in the first quarter and 10 in the third. Her total matched a season high for a CAC player. Hughes had 10 points in the final period.

Za'Riah Griffin, Mikala Begoody and Gabby Flute Player each scored 13 points for the Jegos, who also got 10 from Ana Martinez. Leading scorer A'Yonna Wilson was held to seven points, well below her 20.3 average.

Tohono O'odham did not get on the board until its ninth possession and went 1 for 7 with seven turnovers on its first 12 possessions.

The Vaqueras took their largest lead of the first half at 36 points on Reyelle Frazier's free throw that made it 55-19 with 3:08 remaining in the second quarter. Pippin's final 3-pointer extended the margin to 41 points at 82-41 with 8:06 to play. A basket by Davis gave CAC its largest lead of 45 points at 99-54 with 1:13 remaining.