YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Lady Matadors Women's Basketball team (4-3) scored 36 points in the second half while allowing just 18 to pull away from Lamar (2-8) for the 63-45 win on the final day of the Chapman Automotive Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday evening at the House Gymnasium.

Rita Gomes and Alynna Palacios combined for 32 points, each scoring 16, to help the Lady Matadors win their second consecutive game.

The Lady Matadors trailed for most of the first quarter with the Lopes building a three-point lead on two occasions, taking a 7-4 lead midway through the first quarter before going back up three points at 14-11 with a minute to play. After two missed three throws, Alliance Ndiba beat the buzzer and was fouled for the three-point play to tie the game 14-14 at the end of the quarter. Arizona Western used that three-point play to go on an 8-0 run to take a 19-14 lead before Lamar answered with a 9-0 run of their own to take the lead back. Gomes hit a three to put the Lady Matadors back up 27-26 before Lamar hit a free throw to send the game to halftime tied at 27-27.

Lamar opened the second half on a 5-0 run before Gomes hit a three to stop the run and the Lady Matadors would allow just four more points the rest of the quarter, outscoring the Lopes 13-9 to take a 40-36 lead. Arizona Western opened the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run and outscored the Lopes 23-9 in the final frame to pull away for the 63-45 win.

Alliance Ndiba recorded a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the win while blocking two shots.

The Lady Matadors are back in action on Tuesday, November 28, opening conference play with a trip to Phoenix to take on the Bears at 5:30 pm.