Wick News Service

The Cochise College Apaches remained unbeaten in ACCAC play Saturday night beating the Mesa Thunderbirds 73-69 in Cochise Stronghold.

Cochise took a 41-34 lead to the break, and threatened to break it open at the start of the second half as Ajak Magot scored six quick points out of the break to help push Cochise to its largest lead of the night, 53-38 with 15:51 to go.

The Apaches’ lead did not last long, as Mesa spent the next four-and-a-half minutes outscoring Cochise 16-2 to cut it to one with 11:16 to play.

Tim Jacobs’ bucket on a put back gave Cochise a 60-54 lead and Mesa would draw no closer than three the rest of the way.

Jordan Russell led Cochise in scoring with 17 points. Demeco Blue followed with 10 and Jacobs contributed nine.

On Wednesday the Apaches routed South Mountain Community College 112-68.

Cochise led from start to finish leading by as many as 23 in the first half and 38 in the second half.

Seven Apaches finished in double-figures led by Andrew Hawkins with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Joe Bell Austin and Tevin Caldwell had 15 points apiece and Blue had 13 points and eight rebounds. Russell had 12 points and seven steals, Jerry Duckworth scored 12 and Demitrius Balark had 11.

Cochise, 8-1, is at home tonight hosting Eastern Arizona College.

Cochise women

The Cochise College Lady Apaches fell to Mesa 63-56 Saturday night in Cochise Stronghold suffering their first loss of the season.

A balanced scoring attack led Cochise to a 10-point first-half lead and a 36-29 bulge at the break.

Mesa whittled the deficit down to 49-46 at the 10-minute mark before switching to a zone defense that completely stymied the Cochise offense. The Thunderbirds went on a 12-2 run before an Ashley Mitchell free-throw cut the Mesa lead to 58-52 with 5:30 to play.

Cochise wouldn’t score again until Johnishia Welles hit a baseline jumper with 35 seconds to play that made it 61-54.

Welles led the way for Cochise with 18 points. Yvonte Neal scored nine and Justina Prairie Chief eight.

Last Wednesday the Lady Apaches knocked off South Mountain 74-63.

Neal scored 20 points to lead Cochise in scoring; Prairie Chief 11 and Tianna Brown and Jasmine Lemon scored 10 apiece as Cochise built a 10-point lead in the first half and made it stand up the rest of the way.

The Lady Apaches, 7-1, host Eastern Arizona tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Cochise Stronghold.