YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Matadors Men's Basketball team (15-5, 8-4) battled back from a nine-point deficit to force overtime, eventually falling to Cochise (18-2, 12-0) 76-69 at the House Gymnasium.

Yaxel Lendeborg scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 18 rebounds while Marquis Hargrove scored 16 points, 14 of them in the second half, leading the comeback before the Matadors fell in overtime.

Cochise jumped out to an early lead before the Matadors used an 8-2 run midway through the first half to give them a 14-9 lead on an AJ Marmolejos layup. Cochise used back-to-back three-pointers to build a 25-21 lead before Lendeborg and Evan Butts teamed up for a quick six points to give the Matadors the lead back at 27-25. The Matadors took a 28-27 lead into the locker room after a Lendeborg free throw.

The Apaches opened a nine-point lead at 55-46 late in the second half before the Matadors outscored the Apaches 14-5 over the final minutes of the half. Hargrove brought the Matadors to within two points at 55-53 with five straight points. Isaiah Amato gave the Matadors a 56-55 lead with a layup and a free throw. With the Matadors trailing by two, Lendeborg tapped in a missed three-point attempt just before the buzzer, sending the game to overtime. Cochise outscored the Matadors 16-9 in the overtime period to pull away for the win.

Amato Butts both ended the game with nine points, finishing as the Matadors' third-leading scorers in the loss.

NOTABLES:

• The overtime loss was the Matadors' first overtime game since November 17, 2021, a 79-78 win at Pima
• Yaxel Lendeborg's 28 points were a career-high and were his seventh game this season with 20 or more points and the 10th time in his career
• Lendeborg's 18 rebounds finished one shy of tying a career-high of 19
• Marquis Hargrove (16) scored in double-figures for the 15th time this season and for the third consecutive game

The Matadors are back home on Saturday, January 28, when they host Scottsdale at 2:00 pm at the House Gymnasium. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors (Over 65) and military. Arizona Western College students and employees get in free with AWC ID.