Men's basketball loses first game of season 77-70 to National Power Ranger College

Yesterday, the Cochise College men's basketball traveled to El Paso, Texas, to take on the 2021 NJCAA Region V Champions Ranger College. The game was played at Eastwood High School in El Paso, Texas, in front of a great crowd.

Cochise led 38-34 at halftime. Cochise led most of the second half until the last four minutes of the contest. Ranger College took advantage of the Cochise defense lapses and closed out the Apaches for the win.

Johnny Garcia led Cochise with 20 points while Freshman big-man Oscar Cluff chipped in 10 points.

Cochise fell to 8-1 on the season overall.

"This intersectional battle versus a final four team in Ranger College was a great experience for our guys," said Cochise Head Coach Jerry Carrillo. "We did fight well and led for most of the game, but to the Rangers credit, they made big shots and big plays when they needed them. They are very well-coached and played a very tough brand of basketball."

Former Apache Peter Morales, who is now the Head Boy's Basketball Coach at Eastwood HS in El Paso, TX, deserves all the credit in the world for pulling this game off. It was a great venue and great atmosphere with so many former Cochise Men's and Women's Basketball players in attendance.

UP NEXT

Cochise takes on Central Arizona College on Tuesday, Nov. 23 in the Stronghold gymnasium for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.