Men's Basketball repeats as NJCAA Region I champion with 73-67 overtime win over rival Arizona Western College

The Cochise College men's basketball team won their second straight NJCAA Region I championship, winning a thrilling overtime game over their ACCAC rival Arizona Western College in classic fashion.  

Cochise was again led by returning ACCAC Player of the Year and All-American Stephen "Tank" Byard, who had 25 points and ten rebounds in garnering another double-double. Freshman big man Oscar Cluff was perfect six for six from the field and 1-1 from the foul line as he had 13 points and nine rebounds with five blocked shots on the night. 

Guards Jay Rodgers and Tyreese Watson chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively, in the win.  

The Apaches are now 29-3 the season and have set a record for the most wins in a season for the Cochise team.   

"Our guys stuck together down six with under two minutes to go and get the game to overtime. We made three straight defensive stops while Tank was able to score clutch baskets at the rim," said Cochise Head Coach Jerry Carrillo. "This group has set the single-season records for Cochise College basketball history wins. Winning another championship is a great accomplishment—as we are so proud of this group."

NEWS AND NOTES

The victory marked #600 in Head Coach Jerry Carrillo's 27th-year tenure as Head Coach of the Apaches. Stephen "Tank" Byard was named the MVP of the NJCAA Region I tournament due to his two solid performances. 

UP NEXT

Cochise takes on Salt Lake CC on Saturday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in the Stronghold Gymnasium for the NJCAA West District Championship game. The winner punches their ticket to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Salt Lake CC is NJCAA Region 18 champion and ended the season ranked #1 in the nation in the final NJCAA national poll. SLCC has been ranked #1 all season and is 31-1 on the season.