Apaches take down Yavapai in final seconds of contentious matchup

DOUGLAS, Ariz. --- Conference play resumed Wednesday night, as the Cochise Men's Basketball team welcomed Yavapai College to Stronghold Gymnasium, which ended in a dramatic final-second win. Assistant Coach and Cochise Basketball alum Derek Lane took over acting head coaching duties for Jerry Carrillo, who was out due to illness. Coach Lane was also without standout sophomore standouts Lewis Woosnam and Ben Henderson due to injury.

Nevertheless, the Apaches stormed back after trailing the Roughriders late in the second half to a nail-biting 80-79 victory. Cochise was trailing YC 78-79 with under three seconds remaining when a foul by Deyishon Miller put Apache sophomore Jackson Tumbridge at the foul line for two. Both free throws were made quickly, and Yavapai failed to drain the half-court shot with two seconds remaining, allowing Lane to earn his first win with head coaching duties. 

Cochise Sophomore Isaiah Smith led all scorers with 21 points, while Tumbridge followed with 17 points, including a perfect 3 for 3 in three-pointers to start the game's first minute. Mark Clegg Jr. dominated the boards, collecting 14 rebounds while scoring 14 points, giving the sophomore a double-double. 

Up Next..

Cochise Men's Basketball (11-5,3-1), now winners of back-to-back games, host Central Arizona College (7-10,2-3) on Saturday, January 11th, for a scheduled tip-off at 4:00 pm.