AWC Men and Women Pick Up Season-Opening Wins

Arizona Western College's basketball teams both won their season openers, with the men's team beating Scottsdale Community College 80-58.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a basketball player in mid-leap in maroon and gold, rendered in visible brushstrokes against a warm gymnasium wall. — Arizona Western College's men's basketball team beat Scottsdale Community College 80-58 to improve to 3-1, while the women's team also opened its season with a win. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Arizona Western College's men's basketball team defeated Scottsdale Community College 80-58 to improve to 3-1 on the season. The women's team also won its opener, beating an opponent 80-78.

Why it matters

Both Arizona Western squads started the season with wins, giving the men's team early momentum before a break. The close women's win highlights a balanced start for the program in Yuma.

Jessica Liena scored 30 points, grabbed nine rebounds and recorded seven steals in the women's 80-78 win. The men's team improved to 3-1 after its 80-58 victory over Scottsdale Community College.

The players

Jessica Liena

Jessica Liena is a guard for the Arizona Western College women's basketball team who scored the game-winning basket in the 80-78 win.

The details

Jessica Liena scored the game-winning basket with a few seconds left in the women's contest. The men's team recorded its win with a dominant 80-58 margin over Scottsdale Community College.

Both Arizona Western teams won their season openers on November 5, 2026.
The women's team plays North Idaho College on November 6, 2026.
The men's team returns to action November 13, 2026, after an eight-day break.

Season Trajectory

The men's upcoming game against Utah State Eastern falls within the NJCAA Region 18 Challenge, a regional stretch that will shape early standings for Arizona Western. The team's 3-1 start gives it a foothold as that regional schedule begins.

The men's 3-1 start and upcoming Region 18 Challenge game against Utah State Eastern shape how the team's early schedule plays out. Fantasy and roster watchers may track Jessica Liena's scoring and rebounding as the women's season continues.

The takeaway

Strong starts from both Arizona Western squads set a positive tone heading into the coming weeks. Watching how the men's team performs after its eight-day break will show whether early momentum holds.

What happens next

The men's team returns to action November 13, 2026, against Utah State Eastern in the Region 18 Challenge, and the women's team plays North Idaho College on November 6, 2026.