Men's basketball takes one out of three in Odessa, opens up conference play this week

ODESSA, Tx. -- The Cochise College Men's basketball team wrapped up their trip to Odessa, Texas this weekend defeating New Mexico Junior College handily 79-66 in the third of three games in a row for the Apaches. Sophomore Tyreese Watson led the way scoring 27 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists. It was a back-and-forth affair in the first half of Sunday afternoon's contest which had the Apaches only leading by 2 at halftime. In the 2nd half, Watson put up 19 points along with 8 from Freshman Jordan Hernandez and 6 off of the bench from Stephen Byard. The Apaches also shot 79% from the free-throw line which ultimately helped them blow past the Thunderbirds building momentum toward their first ACCAC matchup on Tuesday.  

Cochise began its trip to Odessa with two losses to Midland and Odessa College of Texas. Against Midland on Friday, November 18th, the Apaches saw the 2022-23 debut of Stephen "Tank" Byard, who came off of an injury that sat him out of the two home-opening games against Community Christian. Byard managed to score 17 points in his season debut, with 9 rebounds, and was 4-6 from the free throw line. The Apaches out-rebounded the Chaparrals 31-28 and shot better from the free-throw line collectively, however, came up short to MC 73-85, whose starters combined for 58 of their total points.

On Saturday, November 19th, the Apaches faced the hometown Odessa College Wranglers, the host school of the 2022 Wrangler Shoot-out, and fell short 72-73 after leading by 1 with 7 seconds left in the game. A questionable call at the end of the game put the Wranglers at the free throw line in the final seconds of the game giving them a 1-point lead and not enough time for the Apaches to prevail. Cochise trailed Odessa by as much as 10 at the half, but managed to claw their way back in the 2nd half led by Sophomore Oscar Cluff, who put up 18 points and 4 defensive rebounds which ultimately helped give the Apaches the lead late in the game. Cochise led 72-71 with 15 seconds left, when a foul was called on Riley Parker putting Odessa at the free throw line. Dontell Hewlitt (OCC) put both free throws in giving the Wranglers the lead and didn't look back defeating Cochise 73-72.

Both Cochise Men (3-2) and Women (4-1) open ACCAC play on Tuesday, November 22nd when they host Scottsdale CC at 5:30 pm (Men) and 7:30 pm (Women) at Cochise Stronghold gymnasium. Admission is free and concessions will be available for both events.