The Tempe Buffaloes were the 57-52 winner over the Payson Longhorns when they last played one another back in January of 2016, but their luck changed this time around. Tempe was outmatched by Payson on the road and fell 66-9. While losing is never fun, Tempe can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Arizona basketball rankings (they are ranked 265th, while Payson is ranked 63rd).
Payson found their leader in underclassman Tatum Mcdowell, who scored 25 points along with nine rebounds and six steals. Those six steals set a new season-high mark for her. The team also got some help courtesy of Kyndall Hatch, who scored 11 points along with eight steals and seven rebounds.
Tempe's defeat dropped their record down to 1-7. As for Payson, the win was the third in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 11-3.
Tempe will get a bit of extra time to process the loss as their next game is a ways off. They'll take on Dysart at 7:00 p.m. on January 10, 2024. Payson will finish 2023 at home by hosting Tuba City at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
