Cochise Women's basketball splits road trip, beats Pima in final game before winter break

DOUGLAS, Ariz.-- The Apaches hit the road this past week and faced a #15 Division 1 NJCAA-ranked Eastern Arizona team and a #12 Division 2 NJCAA-ranked Pima Community College team. Both games were tall tasks for Apaches and they came out of the week winning one and losing one. Against the Monsters of Eastern Arizona, Cochise came out slow and allowed the Monsters to dictate the pace. The Apaches simply could not keep up in the first half, going into halftime down 15-31. To start the second half, the Apaches came out in a zone in an effort to slow down the Monsters, and this balanced the playing field as the Apaches won the second half 27-19. Cochise's second-half efforts were not enough to overcome the major gap Eastern created in the first half. Cochise was defeated by Eastern 50-42.

In Saturday's battle against the Aztecs of Pima Community College, the Apaches came out looking for a bounce back win and it showed in their pace and aggressiveness. Pima would not give up without a fight as there were many lead changes in the first half. The Apaches took the lead into half time, scoring 43 points to the Aztecs 32. The game remained close during most of the third quarter but the Apaches ended the quarter with a 10-0 run. This moment continued and Cochise finished the game with an 82-61 defeat over Pima. The team was led by freshmen Chana Paxixe and Andjela Bigovic. Paxixe poured in 19 points and 6 rebounds; while Bigovic showed her ability to shoot from long range, going 3-5 from the three and pouring in 13 points.

The Apaches go on a break and return for a three day tournament ranging from December 29th-31st, at Pima Community College.  At 6 pm on the 29th, the Apaches face Whatcom College. At 6 pm on the 30th, the Apaches face Howard College. At 6 pm on the 31st, the Apaches face Bismarck State College.