By Matt Hickman/Sierra Vista Herald
HOBBS, N.M. — The Cochise men’s basketball team let an 18-point second half lead disintegrate, but three key free throws and some crucial rebounds down the stretch by Tim Jacobs helped the Apaches weather a comeback by New Mexico Military Institute and win their season opener 95-88 in the first game of the T-Bird Classic.
Demeco Blue, a 6-foot-6 forward from Amarillo, Texas, led the way with 18 points, Jerry Duckworth followed with 14, Jordan Russell scored 12 and Jacobs had 10 for the Apaches, who led 56-44 at the half and pushed their lead to 18 before NMMI rallied to tie it with six minutes to go.
“It was a typical beginning of the season game in juco, and it was a good win against a talented team,” Cochise head coach Jerry Carrillo said. “It was on a neutral floor, but we’re in the heart of the WJCAC, and (today) we play New Mexico Junior College, which finished second in the WJAC last year, and they’ve got some really good players.”
On Saturday, the Apaches close out play in the tournament against the University of the Southwest.
The Cochise women open their season on Saturday at home on the Douglas Campus against Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, starting at 11 a.m. Admission to the game is free.