The Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes dropped a close game to Utah State University-Eastern 73-61 Thursday night.

Story by Joran Palacio

Thursday's game was another example of the score not telling the whole story. On the surface it looks like Artichokes (2-2) lost to the Golden Eagles (5-1) rather handily, however, SCC led the way for a large majority of the game.

The first quarters were largely spent by both teams jostling for the lead. One team would hold on for the lead for a couple minutes before the other team would recapture.

With two minutes left in the first half the game was knotted up at 30 that is when the 'Chokes went on a 7-0 run which included a buzzer-beater three from #11 Paulina Silcox from the corner to give SCC the 37-30 lead.

Once Scottsdale got the lead back in the second, they kept it throughout the third quarter and did so by forcing turnovers. By the time the game was over SCC forced 22 turnovers. Going into the fourth quarter the Artichokes were up 53-49.

Once the last period began, however, the 'Chokes went cold from the field and did not score for four minutes into the quarter. In the meantime, the Golden Eagles began climbing their way back into the game and got a 56-55 lead with five and a half minutes left.

From there on Utah State University-Eastern did not look back and they extended their lead to 12 and won the game 73-61.

#10 Tessa Kowalski led the way in scoring for Scottsdale with 15 points which included going 3-6 from three-point range.

The 'Chokes week concludes with a Saturday night matchup against North Idaho College which tips off at 7:30 p.m.