San Antonio College Men’s and Women’s basketball teams walked off the court as champions after winning in their respective Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference (TCAC) championship games at Trinity University’s William H. Bell Athletic Center Saturday.
The Lady Armadillos were the reigning champions coming into the playoffs, and they defended their title with a 64-58 victory over the Northeast Lakeview College Nighthawks. The SAC women defeated the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals Friday night to advance to the title game. They finished the season at 8-1, losing just one game despite having only a six-player roster.
SAC Coach Lauren Rubio said she adapted her teams’ practice routines throughout the season to bolster the players’ endurance.
“It’s hard to retain players,” Rubio told SAC Student News. “Being part of a community college, it’s hard to get ladies to come to practice and work hard.”
SAC Point Guard Casie Guy and Guard Lydia Macias were the Armadillos’ top scorers in the championship game. They each put up 17 points.
SAC Forward Caleb Richardson led scoring for the Armadillos against St. Philip’s with 33 points, and SAC Guard Devon Gilmore put up 12 points on four 3-point shots.
SAC Guard Demetrice Mims told SAC Student News the Armadillos expected a fast-paced, intense game and were determined to play with intensity and strong defense against Northwest Vista for the championship.
The Armadillos went into halftime down 30-35. The Wildcat’s defense forced multiple turnovers, which snowballed into a 10-point deficit for SAC halfway into the second quarter. The game turned in SAC’s favor after a Wildcat player got into foul trouble.
The Armadillos bounced back in the second half and went ahead 63-62 in the last three minutes. Point Guard Cris Estebane forced a turnover in the last minute of the game, giving the Armadillos time to reestablish their defense. Mims landed two free-throws in the last 15 seconds that sealed the game and the championship for the Armadillos.
Mims led the team with 22 points and four 3-pointers. SAC Center Markus Salinas followed with 19 points and four steals.
“You have all worked very hard for this,” Coach Jimmy Alcala said. “This win is thanks to the man upstairs. Let’s enjoy it.”
Read Next: SAC Music Students Perform for Parents, Peers at Choir Concert
