THATCHER, Ariz. — The Eastern Arizona College women’s basketball team will continue its postseason run on Saturday night, hosting Cochise College in the NJCAA Region 1 Tournament semifinal at Gitteau Gymnasium.
The Gila Monsters (23-6, 13-4 ACCAC) enter the contest riding a five-game winning streak, looking to build on a strong finish to the regular season. Eastern Arizona finished second in the conference and will have home-court advantage against a Cochise (20-9, 12-5) squad that has also found its rhythm late in the season, winning its last two games.
Season Series Recap
This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with Eastern Arizona holding a 2-1 edge.
- Dec. 4 (Thatcher): Eastern Arizona won a defensive battle, 53-48.
- Jan. 22 (Douglas): Cochise evened the series with a 54-51 win at home.
- Feb. 15 (Thatcher): The Gila Monsters held off Cochise for a 61-58 victory.
Each game has been decided by five points or fewer, setting the stage for another tense postseason showdown.
Key Matchups to Watch
The frontcourt battle will be pivotal, with Ashlynn Chlarson, Eastern Arizona’s leading scorer (10.4 PPG, 49.6% FG), going up against Karolina Padilla (11.8 PPG, 42.8% FG) of Cochise. Both players have been strong on the boards and will be crucial in establishing an inside presence.
Eastern Arizona features a balanced attack, with Eanae Dagons (8.4 PPG, 48.1% FG) and Danaeja Love Romero Ah Sam (8.3 PPG, 32.4% 3PT) providing key perimeter scoring. Cochise, meanwhile, relies on the scoring punch of Micayla Silas (15.1 PPG, 29.2% 3PT), Jessie Joaquim (11.4 PPG, 44.7% FG), and Kaylynn Asberry (11.1 PPG, 38.0% FG).
Eastern Arizona has been one of the top defensive teams in the conference, allowing just 55.1 PPG this season. They will look to slow down a Cochise offense that averages 68.9 PPG but has been inconsistent from three-point range, shooting just 26.2% from deep.
What’s at Stake
With a spot in the Region 1 Championship on the line, both teams will look to extend their seasons and keep their NJCAA National Tournament hopes alive.
Tipoff is set for Saturday, March 8, at 5:30 p.m. at Gitteau Gymnasium.
