Jump BallThis past week has been a busy one for the Cochise College women’s basketball team.

The Apaches faced a road test on Wednesday and ultimately came up short, losing 68-57 to Central Arizona College.

Sophia Elenga put on a great performance, with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks for Cochise. Arianna Anderson added 11 points and 6 rebounds, while Coulter Bowlen chipped in 8 points and 4 rebounds. Also, Guadelupe Chao collected 5 rebounds.

While Cochise’s 41% field goal shooting bested Central Arizona’s 36% mark, the rebounding battle was lost 37-33. The game proved to be a tough and physical matchup for Cochise, who made a valiant effort to stay the course. Ultimately, critical mistakes and wasted opportunities during the second half led to the team’s defeat.

The loss moved Cochise to 13-5 on the season, with a 7-4 record in conference.

On Saturday’s home game the team stepped up, and getting back to its winning ways, the Cochise College women’s basketball team beat Glendale Community College 62-55.

Forward Sophia Elenga put up a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, on 6/9 shooting from the field. Arianna Anderson bested Elenga’s scoring output with 13 points, while adding 8 rebounds. Coulter Bowlen poured in 8 points, while pulling down 10 rebounds. Ciara Fields added 9 points, and Tatyana McFarland grabbed 7 rebounds, respectively.

The team overcame first-half turnover issues and made key second-half defensive adjustments to get the victory, with each Cochise player who saw action scoring a basket during the contest.

McFarland and guard Taylor Harris were key defensive stalwarts for Cochise, as they both had 2 blocks. Cochise shot 41% from the field and held Glendale to just 31% shooting on only 20 made field goals, while out-rebounding the visitors 53-36. Furthermore, Cochise was especially impressive on the offensive glass, attacking the boards for 20 offensive rebounds.

Cochise is now 14-5 overall, with an 8-4 conference record to close out the first half of ACCAC play. To kick-off the second half of the conference, the Apaches will play against Mesa Community College on Wednesday, January 20.

Admission is free.