YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Matadors Men's Basketball team (6-1) used 26 points from AJ Marmolejos to come away with the 80-70 win over Southern Nevada (0-9) on the first day of the Chapman Automotive Thanksgiving Classic on Friday evening.

Marmolejos went 9-for-15 from the field and had a team-leading five assists in the win over Southern Nevada while Matija Gledic finished the game as the team's second-leading scorer, scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

After trailing early in the first half, the Matadors used a 6-0 run to take an 8-5 lead and never looked back, leading for the rest of the way. Marmolejos helped push the lead to 12 on two occasions in the first half thanks to a steal and a layup before hitting a three to push the lead to 30-18. The Matadors outscored the Coyotes 48-34 in the first half.

Joao Das Chagas recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds while Jannoy Thomas added eight points in the win.

The Coyotes cut the Matadors' lead to five points at 59-54 midway through the second half before the Matadors went on a 15-8 run to push the lead back double-digits following a Gledic three-pointer and a LaRoi Glover layup. The Matadors held the Coyotes to just 16 points for the rest of the half and built their largest lead of 18 points to produce the final score of 88-70.

The Matadors are back in action on Saturday, November 25, hosting Community Christian on the final day of the Chapman Automotive Thanksgiving Classic at 7:00 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.