YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western College Matadors Men's Basketball team (18-8, 11-5) couldn't recover from a slow start in a 78-65 loss to Cochise (15-10, 8-6) on Saturday afternoon at Apache Stronghold Gymnasium.

Jannoy Thomas led all scorers with 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting with a team-high four assists in the loss.

After a back-and-forth start to the game, Cochise went on a run late in the second half, going on a 12-3 run after the Matadors cut the deficit to five points. Cochise outscored the Matadors 46-31 in the first half.

The Matadors went on a run early in the second half to cut the deficit to eight points but wouldn't get any closer, only outscoring the Apaches 34-32 in the second half.

Cam Atkinson was the Matadors' second-leading scorer, scoring 15 points in 40 minutes while AJ Marmolejos scored 14 points and Edwin Suarez led the Matadors in rebounding with nine.

The Matadors return home on Friday, February 23, hosting Eastern Arizona in an ACCAC matchup at 7:30 pm at the House Gymnasium. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors while Arizona Western College students get in free with their AWC ID.