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With no true post player, the Pima Aztecs face a size disadvantage every game.

They often trap on defense, employ double teams and sometimes put five guards on the floor.

In an 81-75 loss to Phoenix College on Wednesday night, Pima's 6-foot-6-inch Oscar Ruiz, who regularly guards the opponent's best post player, left the game with a sprained ankle midway through the second half when Pima led by 14 points. Ruiz, a Salpointe Catholic High School graduate, typically guards players taller and stronger than he is, coach Karl Pieroway said.

Phoenix took advantage of Ruiz sitting on the bench, passed the ball inside and outscored Pima 52-38 in the second half.

"It's just inexperience, a lack of size and inability to close," Pieroway said. "We don't have that right now."

Pima (3-5) will get some relief Saturday, when it plays its first home game since Nov. 19 at 4p.m. against Eastern Arizona at the West Campus gym. The Aztecs have played five consecutive road games, including a Thanksgiving tournament in Odessa, Texas.

Notably, the Aztecs have defeated Lee College of Baytown, Texas 68-62, but they are 0-3 in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, including a 73-58 loss to Arizona Western, which is ranked 10th in Division I. (Pima is in Division II.)

"We're getting better," Pieroway said. "Our record doesn't reflect that."

Freshman Terrence Hill (from Rincon/University) leads the Aztecs with 18.5 points per game and scored 22 against Phoenix. Sophomore guard Shannon Doctor (Buena) adds 13.6 per game.

Pieroway said the players are starting to buy into the staff's offensive and defensive systems.

Unlike other teams, which likely implemented their plays during the summer, Pieroway said his team got a slower start after he was hired in mid-June.

"We're seeing success," Pieroway said. "We need to see that in more 40-minute periods instead of 15-minute stretches."

In women's basketball, the Aztecs take a 3-2 record (2-1 ACCAC) into a conference game with Eastern Arizona at 2 p.m. Saturday at the West Campus.

"We're just trying to set the foundation," coach Todd Holthaus said. "This year we have the ball rolling a little bit. There's a little bit of a buzz, and our first home game had a great crowd, and we're hoping to continue to build on that."

In an 89-51 road victory over Phoenix on Wednesday, freshman forward Tia Morrison finished with 30 points, on 14-of-20 shooting, and 10 rebounds. Freshman guard NeNe Villalobos (Sunnyside) dished out eight assists and had one turnover.

Morrison and freshman guard Abyee Maracigan (Flowing Wells) lead the Aztecs in scoring, averaging 15 points apiece.

With 10 freshmen on the roster, the Aztecs turn the ball over about 22 times a game, which must improve, Holthaus said.

The schedule will become more treacherous when Pima hosts second-ranked Central Arizona on Dec. 13.

"We'll get our test for sure next week," Holthaus said.