Cochise Edged in Overtime by Big Bend, Falls to 2–1

Douglas, Ariz. — Cochise College men's basketball dropped a heartbreaker in overtime Wednesday night, falling 73–70 to Big Bend College (Wash.) at the Stronghold Gymnasium. The loss moves the Apaches to 2–1 on the season in a matchup that doubled as a homecoming for Vikings head coach Jason Hopkins, a former Cochise player and assistant coach. 

Cochise led 29–23 at halftime and built its advantage to double digits in the second half, going up by as many as 14 before Big Bend mounted a comeback. The Vikings used timely three-point shooting and late-game execution to erase the deficit, tying the game at 61–61 on a three from Tainui Tairoa in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime. 

In the extra period, the teams traded baskets before Big Bend inched ahead for good. Miguel Taylor hit a jumper and later buried a key three in overtime, while the Vikings did just enough at the free throw line to hold off a final Cochise push. 

Sophomore guard Jhace Johnson turned in a near triple-double for the Apaches, finishing with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Emmanuel Jo Samuel matched him with 18 points, including a clutch three late in regulation, and Teron Murray added 13 points and 4 rebounds. Naeem Colston anchored the interior with 6 points and 10 rebounds, as Cochise owned a 43–34 edge on the glass and handed out 23 assists on 29 made field goals. 

Big Bend was powered by Lorenzo Contreras, who came off the bench for 20 points and 6 assists, knocking down five three-pointers. Taylor added 13 points, and Tairoa chipped in 11, as the Vikings hit 9 threes overall and outscored Cochise 36–13 in bench points and 28–14 in the paint. 

Cochise shot 41.4% from the field and 21.2% from three, but struggled at the free-throw line, going just 5-of-14. Big Bend finished at 42.4% overall, 34.6% from beyond the arc, and 14-of-25 at the stripe. 

The Apaches won't have long to dwell on the loss. Cochise (2–1) heads to Thatcher, Ariz., for the EAC Gila Monster Classic, where they will face Laramie County Community College on Friday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m.