Cochise MBB wins 118-87 over powerhouse Pima CC

The Cochise men's basketball team ended their regular season in big fashion last night with a 118-87 rout over NJCAA DII National power Pima Community College in an ACCAC match-up. Coupled with Arizona Western College's loss to Chandler-Gilbert CC, the win allowed the Apaches to capture a piece of the ACCAC title with Arizona Western College. Arizona Western College hosts Central Arizona College on Tuesday night in their final regular-season game. An Arizona Western College win versus CAC would mean the Apaches and Matadors would be crowned Co-Champions of the ACCAC. At the same time, a Matador loss would give the 2021-22 ACCAC title to the Apaches outright. Regardless, Cochise will be hanging their fourth straight ACCAC banner in the rafters of the Stronghold Gymnasium.

Cochise led 50-35 at halftime, thanks to a strong defensive effort by the Apaches. Cochise was able to stretch the lead to as many as 32 points in the second half in securing the victory. Jay Rodgers led the Apaches with 27 points and five 3-point field goals on the night. Jalun Trent added 20 points with three 3-point field goals and almost had a triple-double, adding nine rebounds and nine assists on a night that honored his career at Cochise College.

Stephen "Tank" Byard chipped in 15 points and ten rebounds for another double-double outing. Johnathan Garcia added 15 points off the bench to bolster the Apache offensive attack.

Cochise has ended the regular season with a 27-3 overall record and once again sits at the top of the ACCAC with an 18-2 conference record.

"I am so proud of our guys for coming out with great defensive energy from the start. They played hard on the defensive end of the floor from the tip-off," said Cochise Head Coach Jerry Carrillo. "Coach Hopkins did a very good job with the Pima CC scouting report, and our guys responded. To finish the regulars season 27-3 and garner at least a share of another ACCAC title is a huge credit to our guys and their season-long efforts."

Sophomore guard Jalun Trent said, "Our coaching staff locked us in –and we made the proper adjustments to go out and clinch the championship. Now we need to focus for a post-season run."

UP NEXT
Cochise must wait to see how the NJCAA Region I seeding plays out as Tuesday, Feb. 22, is the last night of ACCAC play with the Apaches having the bye. Cochise will be hosting a semi-final NJCAA Region I playoff game on Saturday night with the opponent to be either Central Arizona College or Eastern Arizona College. The tip-off will be 7 p.m. in the Stronghold Gymnasium.