EAC holds off Arizona Western 66-63 to become conference champions
By Jon Johnson
THATCHER – The Eastern Arizona College Gila Monsters did what they’ve done all season and defended their home court to become the ACCAC Region 1 Division 1 Conference Champions for the second year in a row.
Eastern Arizona’s head coach, Cameron Turner, was named ACCAC D1 Coach of the Year.
The Matadors had a chance to tie, but Cam Atkinson’s open look with time running out missed everything, and Arizona Western wasn’t able to muster another shot before the buzzer as EAC walked off with the 66-63 win.
EAC (16-2 conference, 29-3 overall) has now won 14 games in a row. They will next face No. 1 Snow College (31-1) on Saturday, March 15, in Ephraim, Utah, for the NJCAA West District Championship. The winner of the district title will earn a spot in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Amari Carraway played big for the Monsters against Arizona Western and went for 15 points off 5-11 shooting (including 4-10 from 3-point) to lead EAC. Carraway also finished with 5 assists and 4 rebounds and was named MVP of the championship game. Carraway was also named to the All-ACCAC D1 1st Team and All-Region D1 1st Team.
Tarrance Warren made all his free throws (4-4) and hit 4-8 from the field for 14 points to go with 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Warren has been named to the All-ACCAC D1 2nd Team and All-Region D1 2nd Team.
J.T. Elder led the team with 5 rebounds and had 9 points on 4-11 shooting. Elder has been named to the All-ACCAC D1 2nd Team.
Kaden Ericksen finished 4-9 for 9 points with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.
Edwin Suarez and Cam Atkinson led Arizona Western with 19 points each, and Kaleb Myers had 10.
