The Cochise College Lady Apaches overcame a 14 point first half deficit to beat the South Mountain Lady Cougars 78-67 in an ACCAC game Wednesday in Cochise Stronghold.

While the win was impressive what was more interesting was the fact Cochise shot just two free-throws the entire game going 1 for 2 from the charity stripe.

A total of 25 fouls were called in the game; 16 against Cochise and 9 against South Mountain who was 11 for 15 from the foul line.

Zelenia Pellat had both free throw attempts for Cochise both of which came in the second half.

The Lady Apaches struggled early on trailing by 14 before battling back to within two.

South Mountain managed to push away a little before the half taking a 36-29 lead at the break.

In the second half Cochise came out with a 30-13 run to take a 59-49 lead at the midway point hanging on to win by 11.

Sophomore Simone Buckhanan led the Lady Apaches in scoring with 21 points. Selena Flores followed with 14 and Egle Karolyte closed out with 13.

Cochise College coach Steve Lane said his team looked like they were somewhere else the first half and not where they should be which was in Cochise Stronghold playing a college basketball game.

“We were turning the ball over, we were missing layups and easy shots, we were uninspired, unmotivated and lackadaisical,” he said. “I can’t tolerate that kind of play.”

At halftime the coach said he told his team they showed them their worst now lets go out there and at least play with them.

“Good things happen when you play hard,” he said. “When you just go through the motions nothing good can happen.”

South Mountain is a respectable opponent that can give teams fits if they’re not prepared. They have several good basketball players including a division one transfer from the University of Wyoming.

“They’re aggressive and they play hard,” Lane said. “You have to be ready for those teams because they’ll sneak up on you. If they out hustle you then that’s a shame on you.”

Lane said in all his years of coaching college basketball he’s never been in a game where one team shot just two free throws.

“My girls were driving to the basket getting knocked around and there was no call,” he said. “I’ve never coached a game or a team where we shot just two free throws, especially a game where you score 78 points.”

With the win the Lady Apaches improve to 2-1 in league play, 4-5 overall.

Cochise is at Chandler – Gilbert on Saturday for another ACCAC game before hosting Eastern Arizona College next Wednesday.

Lane said Chandler – Gilbert beat South Mountain 102-93 last week.

“It should be a very close ball game,” the coach said. “Chandler-Gilbert has one of the premier post players in the league. She’s in the top five in every category in the league so she is going to be a hand full for us.”

Lane said that plus the fact his team is playing on the road means his team had better be ready to play or its going to be a very long night.