Cochise Men's Basketball splits road trip in Big Spring, Texas at Howard Classic

BIG SPRING, TX -- After a four-day Thanksgiving break, the Cochise College Men's Basketball team was back to work and hit the road to battle perennial NJCAA National powers Howard College and Midland College this past weekend in the Howard College Classic in Big Spring, TX.

Cochise 72, Howard College 74

On Friday night the Apaches took on the host Howard College Hawks. Cochise led for most of the close contest, only to see Howard College squeak out a 74-72 win in which Cochise Freshman guard Lewis Woosnam had a three-point field goal go in and out at the buzzer that would have won the game. Sophomore Jalen Barbee was the leading scorer for Cochise going 7 for 17 from the field scoring 22 points with 13 rebounds. Freshman Joshua Whiteside followed with 11 points making 5 of 6 shots with two rebounds.

Cochise 72, Midland College 66

The Apaches then faced the Midland College Chaparrals out of Midland, TX for a 1:00 pm contest Saturday afternoon in their final game of the Howard Classic. Cochise was able to bounce back to secure a 72-66 win over the NJCAA Region 5 defending champions, who are currently ranked #15 in the latest NJCAA DI national poll. Woosnam came off of the bench to lead the Apaches with 19 points going 7 for 13 from the field including 4 for 8 from three-point land. Sophomore Diego Sharp finished with 16 points, and Sophomore Jordan Hernandez with 14 points, 10 assists, and six steals. It was a great team effort win versus an NJCAA Region 5 powerhouse opponent.    

After the two-day Texas trip, Coach Carillo was pleased with his team's performance. "It was a great two-game classic for our guys this past weekend" Carillo stated. "Our guys showed great integrity, grit, and high character in both games. We outplayed Howard College on Friday night and the ball didn't bounce our way, but to come back on Saturday afternoon after a short turnaround and beat the Region 5 defending champion who is ranked #15 in the nation was huge for our guys.  I could not be prouder of our guys for their effort this past weekend. To compete the way our guys did on the road was so very impressive."

Up Next..

Cochise Men's Basketball (6-3,0-1) will host Eastern Arizona College (7-4, 1-0) for an ACCAC Division I matchup on Friday, December 8th at 7:30 pm and again on Saturday, December 9th at 4:00 pm inside of Cochise Stronghold Gymnasium.