Pima Women Secure Historic First NJCAA Division II Championship

Pima Community College just pulled off something incredible—they’ve finally won their first NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship. After coming heartbreakingly close in 2011 and again last season, the Aztecs grabbed the title with a nail-biting 64-58 win over Kirkwood Community College from Cedar Rapids.

This victory capped a wild, 18-game winning streak. The team’s key players and their longtime coach all had something special going on this season.

The Road to Victory

Pima’s journey to the championship was anything but easy. Ranked No. 4, they faced tough competition all season and still finished with a strong 30-4 record.

The path to the title demanded resilience and teamwork. A few individual standouts made all the difference when it mattered most.

Key Players and Their Impact

Kiley Sours-Miller really stepped up, scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the final. Her impact was huge in getting the Aztecs over the line.

Melicia Nelson looked like a triple-double threat all night, adding 20 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Her steady play earned her the Most Valuable Player award for the tournament.

Reigne Waugh chipped in with nine points—seven of those from the free-throw line. All three earned spots on the NJCAA Division II All-Tournament Team.

Coach Todd Holthaus: The Strategic Mastermind

Todd Holthaus has led the program for 19 years, and this season, his strategy and timing felt spot-on. He picked up the Coach of the Tournament honor for good reason.

Holthaus knew how to rally his team when it counted. His leadership made a real difference, especially late in games.

Turning the Game Around

Pima trailed 46-42 with just over nine minutes left. Then Waugh converted a clutch 3-point play, and suddenly the momentum shifted.

Nelson followed with a layup, putting Pima ahead 52-50 with a little over six minutes to go. Their defense locked in, holding Kirkwood without a field goal for nearly six minutes.

Pima built a 58-51 lead as the clock wound down. The energy in the gym must have been electric.

Crucial Moments and Clutch Performances

The last minutes were tense. Whitney Sullivan buried a 3-pointer for Kirkwood, cutting the lead to 58-54 with under two minutes left.

Nelson answered with a gutsy jumper. Kirkwood kept pressing, but Pima stayed steady, using smart fouls and making key free throws.

Final Seconds: Sealing the Victory

With 20 seconds left, Waugh drew a foul and hit one of two free throws, pushing the lead to 61-56. Erianna Moeschter scored a quick layup for Kirkwood, making it 61-58.

Waugh got fouled again and made one more free throw. Then Sours-Miller stepped up, calmly sinking both of hers with just 11 seconds left.

Kirkwood tried for a miracle, but Bra’Ja Torry missed both free throws with eight seconds left. That was it—Pima sealed the win.

Historic Achievement and Future Prospects

This win means a lot for Pima Community College’s women’s basketball program. It’s their first NJCAA Division II title ever, and honestly, it feels like the start of something bigger.

The team’s grit, smart play, and standout performances have set the bar high for whatever comes next. If you’re a fan, you’ve got to be excited to see where they go from here.