Men's basketball extends win streak to 11 games

The Cochise College men's basketball team was able to outlast the NJCAA #9 ranked Pima CC Aztecs last night in a hard-fought ACCAC match-up of two nationally-ranked teams. The Apaches came into the contest ranked #25 in the latest NJCAA DI poll and found out that Pima was very well prepared for them. Pima jumped out to a 19-5 lead early with excellent perimeter shooting, but the Apaches were able to cut the Pima lead to 44-40 at halftime. 

The Apaches used a strong defensive effort in the second half to outscore Pima 47-34 in the second stanza. 

Cochise was led by returning ACCAC Player of Year Stephen "Tank" Byard, who tallied 25 points and nine rebounds in the road win. 

Freshman big man Oscar Cluff continued his great effectiveness with 14 points and nine rebounds. Newcomer Jay Rodgers chipped in 16 points while backup point guard Roman Garcia added 11 points and sparked the Apaches off the bench. Sophomore point guard Jalun Trent had another typical winning lead guard night with seven points, seven assists, and 11 rebounds while playing excellent defense. 

Cochise is now 19-1 overall and 10-0 in ACCAC play.

"Our guys did not understand initially how prepared and how hard Pima was going to play at the onset," said Cochise Head Coach Jerry Carrillo. "I was very proud of how our guys stuck together and rallied around each other for 40 minutes versus a very well-coached team in Pima CC. Our defensive effort in the second half was the difference in the game."

Freshman Stephen "Tank" Byard" added, "Coach told us to defend with much better effort during our halftime break in the locker room. We were able to respond. As a team, we were able to get the ball inside and score at the rim."

UP NEXT

The Cochise College men's basketball team is back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 19, versus Scottsdale CC at home court in the Stronghold Gymnasium at the Douglas Campus. Tip-off starts at 7:30 p.m.