Ed Petruska-Contributing Writer/Pinal Central

SIGNAL PEAK — Getting through conference play with nary a blemish was a huge accomplishment for the Central Arizona College women's basketball team. The focus now can shift to capturing the program's fifth national championship.

The No. 7 Vaqueras concluded the regular season Tuesday night with a 91-66 victory over Eastern Arizona College at the George Young Activity Center. The win was the 16th straight for Central, which went 22-0 in Arizona Community College Athletic play and is 27-3 heading into the postseason.

The last time the Vaqueras went undefeated against ACCAC opponents was 2013-14.

"I used to feel relieved after conference wins instead of celebrating them," CAC coach Denise Cardenas said. "Now I find myself enjoying each win. To have a conference season like we had is a true blessing. I couldn't have asked to have a better group than this."

Makayla Pippin scored 27 points and Ayanna Clark had 19 for the Vaqueras, who led by as many as 33 points. Also reaching double figures were Denali Hughes with 12 and Jenay Bojorquez with 11.

Central was up 18-9 after one quarter, 39-24 at halftime and 70-43 heading into the final period.

The next game for the Vaqueras is the March 6 Division I Region 1 title game at home against No. 2 seed Cochise or third-seeded EAC (20-10, 13-9 ACCAC). Central defeated Cochise 72-54 on Nov. 26 at home and 73-67 on Jan. 29 in Douglas.

"Now it's win or go home," Cardenas said. "Securing the home-court advantage for the championship game really feels good, but we can't take anything for granted."

The region champion advances to the March 17-21 NJCAA Tournament in Lubbock, Texas.

"If we can hit some shots and click at the right time, we're going to make a run at it," Cardenas said.

Central came in with an average victory margin of 26.5 points against conference opponents. Every game but two was decided by 15 or more points.

"Blowout wins don't really help us," Cardenas said. "What I'm pleased with is we should be healthy enough to do well (in the postseason)."

The Vaqueras shot 54 percent in the second half (20 for 37) against Eastern and 46 percent for the game (37 for 80). They outscored the Gila Monsters 26-11 in second-chance points.

Danja Stafford's 25 points led EAC, which shot 30 percent in the first half (7 for 23) and 39 percent overall (23 for 59).

Pippin scored four points in the early going as CAC took an 8-1 lead. The 6-foot-1 sophomore had 12 points in the second quarter to give her 18 at the half. Pippin's basket with 4:48 remaining gave Central its largest lead at 85-52.

The Vaqueras outscored the Gila Monsters 31-19 in the third quarter behind 11 points from Clark, a 6-3 sophomore.

Hughes converted a pair of three-point plays in the third period. Mahogany Menefee, Ashana Hinds and Ariana Davis each hit a 3-pointer in the fourth for Central