By Jon Johnson
THATCHER – On Wednesday night, the Eastern Arizona College Gila Monsters jumped to a fast start over the visiting Cochise College Apaches and sailed to defeat their conference rivals, 86-75 at Guitteau Gymnasium.
The defending ACCAC and Region I Champion Eastern Arizona College Gila Monsters (3-0 conference, 9-1 overall) are currently ranked 23rd in the country and are on a 6-game win streak.
“It was a fun game,” EAC head basketball coach Cameron Turner said. “We just knew we were going to have a great test because I think at the end of the day, it’s going to be us versus Cochise.”
Tarrance Warren didn’t start, but the 6’2” sophomore guard came off the bench after about 7 minutes in and nearly scored a point for every minute he was in the game. Warren finished with a team-high 27 points in 28 minutes off 10-16 from the field (4-6, 3-point) and was 3-4 from the free throw line. He also added 4 defensive rebounds and led the team with 5 assists.
Complementing Warren in the backcourt was sophomore Kaden Ericksen, who had the soft touch on his mid-range jumper all night. He finished with 22 points on an outstanding 10-13 shooting from the field (1-3 from 3-point), 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Armari Carraway also filled the stat sheet with 12 points on 4-7 shooting and a perfect 3-3 from the free-throw line.
In the frontcourt, Xzavier Baker played big down low and finished with 7 points on 3-5 shooting and 4 rebounds.
“I’m proud of our guys,” coach Turner said. “We’re finally healthy, and different guys just showed up. That’s what makes us unique. We’re 9-1, ranked nationally, so big things to come.”
EAC came out firing and didn’t let up as it took an early 12-point lead up 16-4 after a JT Elder putback. Elder finished with 6 points and 7 rebounds (5 offensive).
The Monsters kept the pedal to the metal, and a Warren 3-pointer gave the Gila Monsters a massive 34-15 lead with 6:46 remaining in the first half.
The Apaches cut into the lead slightly before the half, but the Monsters went into the break up 12 and looking good, 43-31.
Cochise made a run in the second half to cut it to 6 points, but Warren hit a 3, and the Monsters kept their distance the rest of the way to finish the Apaches, 86-75.
Ben Henderson led Cochise with 19 points on 8-20 shooting and 7 rebounds; Mark Clegg Jr. had 17 points on 8-12 shooting and 5 rebounds, and Jackson Tumbridge came off the bench to contribute 12 points on 5-9 shooting, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. EAC’s 7’1” center from York, United Kingdom, did not dress for the game and was on the bench in regular clothing.
The Gila Monsters will next travel to Coolidge on Saturday, Dec. 7, to battle Central Arizona College, starting at 4 p.m.
