LAKE CHARLES, La. — Eastern Arizona College climbed all the way to the top and finished the job.
The second-seeded Gila Monsters erased a halftime deficit and pulled away late to defeat 16th-seeded New Mexico Junior College 57-51 on Tuesday night, claiming the NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship at McNeese State University.
It is the first national title in program history and the first national championship for Eastern Arizona College in any sport since its volleyball program won in 1991.
The game unfolded the way championship games often do, with neither team able to find much rhythm early. Eastern Arizona and New Mexico were tied at 15 after a physical first quarter, as both sides struggled to generate consistent offense. Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam provided an early lift for the Gila Monsters, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers to keep things even.
New Mexico found its footing in the second quarter and began to take control behind Jada Graves and a steady presence on the glass from Azaleeah Oloapu. The Thunderbirds built a 10-point lead midway through the period and carried a 29-27 advantage into halftime. Eastern Arizona stayed within reach thanks to Esmeralda Enriquez, who hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final two minutes to cut into the deficit.
Eastern Arizona responded coming out of the break and delivered the stretch that ultimately changed the game. The Gila Monsters opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run, fueled by defensive stops and second-chance opportunities. Enriquez converted at the rim, then followed with a 3-pointer, and Lucia Auza added a transition basket to push Eastern Arizona in front 36-29.
From that point on, the game turned into a possession-by-possession battle. New Mexico trimmed the lead to four late in the third quarter, but Romero-Ah Sam answered with another 3-pointer to steady the Gila Monsters heading into the final period.
Eastern Arizona created separation early in the fourth. A 3-pointer from Sarah Perrussel, followed by a steal and layup from Eanae Dagons, stretched the lead to nine. Dagons added another 3-pointer moments later to make it 51-42 with just under seven minutes remaining.
New Mexico did not go away. Graves converted a three-point play to cut the deficit to 51-47 with 3:33 left, and the Thunderbirds had multiple opportunities to draw closer. Eastern Arizona’s defense held firm, forcing a key turnover with under three minutes to play and preserving the lead.
Romero-Ah Sam delivered the final push, scoring on a drive with 1:37 remaining to extend the advantage to six. From there, Eastern Arizona closed the game at the free-throw line behind Enriquez.
Enriquez led Eastern Arizona with 16 points, while Romero-Ah Sam added 14 and Dagons finished with 12. Graves scored a game-high 21 points for New Mexico, which stayed within striking distance despite shooting 32.3 percent from the field.
Eastern Arizona shot 28.6 percent but made 10 3-pointers and committed only nine turnovers, controlling the game in the margins.
The championship caps a remarkable season for the Gila Monsters. After opening the year with an overtime loss to College of Southern Idaho, Eastern Arizona won 29 straight games and returned to the national stage determined to finish the job.
The moment also carried added meaning for Eastern Arizona head coach Anjelica de Paulo, who once played at New Mexico Junior College and earned All-American honors, bringing a full-circle element to the title game.
Eastern Arizona held four tournament opponents to 56 points or fewer and never allowed a team to dictate tempo and now Eastern Arizona leaves Lake Charles as national champions.
