LAKE CHARLES, La. — Second-seeded Eastern Arizona College turned a highly anticipated matchup into a decisive result Thursday morning, defeating previously unbeaten Southwestern Illinois College 62-36 in the NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship at McNeese State University.
Eastern Arizona (30-2) advanced behind a dominant defensive effort, holding No. 18 seed Southwestern Illinois (32-1) to just 20 percent shooting from the field.
The Gila Monsters set the tone early and never allowed Southwestern Illinois to settle into its rhythm. Eastern Arizona led 28-19 at halftime and steadily extended the margin in the second half, outscoring the Blue Storm 34-17 over the final two quarters.
Southwestern Illinois entered averaging 88.4 points per game but struggled throughout, finishing 11 of 55 from the field. The Blue Storm managed just four points in the paint and were unable to generate transition opportunities against Eastern Arizona’s controlled pace.
Eastern Arizona forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 12 points, while also controlling the glass with a 41-32 rebounding advantage. The Gila Monsters added 11 second-chance points and received a boost from their bench, which contributed 28 points.
Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam led Eastern Arizona with 19 points, including five 3-pointers, while Esmeralda Enriquez added 14 points and went 5 for 5 from the free-throw line. Trinity Carmouche and Stephany Goncalves each scored eight points, and Eanae Dagons finished with seven rebounds and seven assists.
Southwestern Illinois was led by Holly Woods with 12 points and Layla Pierce with eight.
The loss marked the first of the season for Southwestern Illinois, which entered the tournament undefeated and advanced with a win over No. 15 seed Grayson College in the opening round.
Eastern Arizona will face the winner of No. 7 College of Southern Idaho and No. 10 Dodge City in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 10:15am Arizona time.
