Apaches Fall in Tight ACCAC Rematch Against Southern Nevada

Douglas, Ariz. — Cochise College men's basketball came up just short Friday night, dropping an 83–82 decision to the College of Southern Nevada in the second game of their ACCAC conference opening series at Stronghold Gymnasium. The loss moves the Apaches to 10–7 overall and 0–2 in conference play. 

The teams traded punches throughout the evening, entering halftime deadlocked at 39–39 before Southern Nevada edged ahead late in the second half behind timely perimeter shooting and clutch free throws. 

Freshman guard Emmanuel Jo Samuel led Cochise with 20 points and six rebounds, connecting on three three-pointers while attacking the rim consistently. Teron Murray followed with 18 points and seven rebounds, going 9-of-11 at the free-throw line, while Naeem Colston added 15 points on efficient 6-of-9 shooting. 

Freshman Davon Jones chipped in eight points and three rebounds off the bench, while Jhace Johnson contributed seven points and two assists as Cochise shot 42.6 percent from the field and outscored Southern Nevada 38–16 in the paint. 

Southern Nevada was paced by Maximus Romero's game-high 31 points, with Drake Watanabe adding 18 and Ryan Raad scoring 15. The Coyotes connected on 13 three-pointers and shot nearly 48 percent overall, helping them escape with the road win.

Cochise had a chance to pull ahead in the final minute but a missed jumper in the closing seconds sealed the outcome for the visitors.

The Apaches will look to regroup as conference play continues Wednesday night, January 14th, hosting Arizona Western College at 7:30 p.m. in Douglas.