Cochise Women's Basketball cruises past Community Christian in season opener

DOUGLAS, Ariz. -- The 2023-2024 Women's Basketball regular season started off with a bang, as the Apaches rolled past Community Christian College 96-29 at Stronghold Gymnasium Wednesday night. Community Christian, an NJCAA Region 18 school out of Redlands, California, came to Douglas with five players on their roster to begin the season. The thin roster for CCC served as an immediate disadvantage to Cochise who returns five Sophomores that made a trip to Lubbock, TX last season for the National Tournament. Sophomore Fortuna Ngnawo is the top returner for Cochise coming off of an All-American season.

Other key returners include Ali Hardwell, Clara Gonzalez, Monique Taylor, and Redshirt Sophomore Alexis Reese. Head Coach Misty Opat also brings in a slew of talented freshmen including Micayla Silas, Leamsi Acuna, and Jessie Joaquim, along with Sophomore transfers Ameena Muhammad and Nelly Madowald.

Cochise began the first quarter shooting 14-24 from the field stretching out a 30-5 lead over the Saints. Gonzalez led all scorers in the first half with 13 points sinking 6 of 11 with 2 assists. The Apaches held a commanding 56-10 lead at the half. 

The second half was all Apaches led by Ngnawo who finished the game as the leading scorer with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. Gonzalez finished with 17 points and Ameena Muhammad finished the game with 11 points and 6 rebounds. As a team, Cochise made more than half of their shots against the Saints shooting 52.9% from the field overall and keeping CCC's offense off-balance the entire game holding the Saints to only 9 made field goals and forcing 32 turnovers.

Up Next...

Cochise Women's Basketball (1-0) will head to Mesa Community College on Friday, November 3rd for a non-conference game with the Thunderbirds beginning at 2:00 pm in Mesa, AZ.