YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Lady Matadors' Women's Basketball team (3-3) opened the home portion of its schedule with a 60-49 win over the No 3 ranked New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds (5-3) on the first day of the Chapman Automotive Thanksgiving Classic on Friday evening.

Rita Gomes scored 17 points off the bench and went 4-for-7 from the three-point line to help the Lady Matadors earn the win over the Thunderbirds.

The Lady Matadors grabbed their first lead of the night at 9-8 in the first quarter before New Mexico closed out the quarter on a 10-4 run to head to the second with an 18-13 lead. The Lady Matadors held New Mexico to just six points in the second quarter, outscoring the Thunderbirds 16-6 as the Lady Matadors went 2-for-3 from the three-point line in the quarter with threes from Dyvine Harris and Alynna Palacios.

Gomez hit three of her four made threes in the third quarter to help the Lady Matadors outscore New Mexico 17-11 in the quarter before Arizona Western was able to hold off a late charge from New Mexico in the fourth and earn the 60-49 win.

Harris finished the game as the Lady Matadors' second-leading scorer, scoring 15 points while Palacios, Fatima Katembo, and Alliance Ndiba each scored nine.

The Lady Matadors are back in action on Saturday, November 25, hosting Lamar on the final day of the Chapman Automotive Thanksgiving Classic at 5:00 pm at the House Gymnasium.  Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors while Arizona Western College students get in free with their AWC ID.