Aztec Women's Basketball Captures First NJCAA National Championship

Pima Community College team defeats Kirkwood Community College 64-58 to win first national title

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Pima Community College women's basketball team captured its first NJCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday, defeating Kirkwood Community College (IA) 64-58 in Hickory, North Carolina. The No. 4 seeded Aztecs trailed 50-47 with 7:47 left but rallied with an 11-1 run to take a 58-51 lead and held on for the victory. Sophomore Kiley Sours-Miller had a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Melicia Nelson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Why it matters

This is a historic achievement for the Pima Community College women's basketball program, which was making its second appearance in the NJCAA Division II National Championship game. The Aztecs' first national title caps off an impressive 30-win season and extends the team's winning streak to 18 games.

The details

The Aztecs trailed 50-47 with 7:47 left but went on an 11-1 run over the next five minutes to take a 58-51 lead. Kirkwood cut the deficit to 58-56 with 1:10 left, but Melicia Nelson hit a jumper to make it 60-56. Pima then made free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. Sours-Miller had a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Nelson scored 20 points and was named tournament MVP.

  • The Aztecs captured the NJCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday, March 27, 2026 in Hickory, North Carolina.
  • Pima Community College finished the season on an 18-game winning streak, with their last loss coming against Mesa Community College on January 7.

The players

Kiley Sours-Miller

Sophomore forward for the Pima Community College Aztecs, who had a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds in the national championship game. She was named to the NJCAA Division II All-Tournament team.

Melicia Nelson

Sophomore guard for the Pima Community College Aztecs, who scored 20 points with 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. She was named the NJCAA Division II Tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Reigne Waugh

Freshman guard for the Pima Community College Aztecs, who scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. She was also selected to the All-Tournament Team.

Todd Holthaus

Head coach of the Pima Community College Aztecs, who won his 400th career game earlier this season and captured his first NJCAA National Championship in his 19th season at the helm.

Kirkwood Community College

The No. 6 seeded team that the Pima Aztecs defeated 64-58 in the NJCAA Division II National Championship game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I stayed for another year, and I think I stayed for a purpose because look where we're at now. We were down most of the game, but we went to the huddle and Coach Todd (Holthaus) said, 'five more minutes left, give your best basketball.' For the sophomores, we took that personal, and we didn't want to lose again (in the National Championship game). We dug in and took the lead.”

— Kiley Sours-Miller, Sophomore forward

“It feels unreal right now. I'm so proud of my whole team. We just kept pushing and fighting. One thing about our team is we're not going to stop fighting. My defense is the No. 1 thing I want to bring to the team, I want to bring the energy and I want to start off the game with pressure on the defense and make everyone else hype.”

— Kahlia Gonzales, Freshman

“They just never quit. There were a few times it was looking bleak, but they just rallied around each other and pushed through. We've always told them that basketball is a game of runs. We just wanted to make sure we made ours at the right time so that when the scoreboard goes off, we're at least ahead by one point.”

— Todd Holthaus, Head Coach

What’s next

The Aztecs will celebrate their first NJCAA Division II National Championship with a homecoming parade and rally on the Pima Community College campus on Monday, March 30th.

The takeaway

Pima Community College's women's basketball team has made history by capturing its first-ever NJCAA Division II National Championship, capping off an impressive 30-win season and 18-game winning streak. This achievement is a testament to the team's resilience, determination, and the leadership of head coach Todd Holthaus, who has built the program into a national powerhouse.