North Las Vegas - In a tightly contested ACCAC conference game, the College of Southern Nevada's men's basketball team was narrowly defeated by Cochise College, with a final score of 69-73. This game, held at the Coyote Event Center, shifted the Coyotes to a 12-8 overall record and 7-6 in conference play.

The match kicked off with high intensity, and by halftime, CSN had secured a slim lead of 40-38. Cyril Franklin Jr. spearheaded the CSN offense, contributing a team-high 15 points, while also securing 5 rebounds and distributing 4 assists. A'lyjah Conway-Wilson added 11 points, leveraging his agility to snag rebounds and make pivotal plays.

LeRone Wright proved to be a key player, putting up 10 points and impressively handling the ball with 6 assists, also adding 5 steals to his stats, reflecting his defensive acumen. David Estes was another significant contributor with 7 points and a strong presence under the boards, grabbing 7 rebounds.

Despite a strong start, CSN struggled to maintain their shooting momentum in the second half. The team's field goal percentage saw a decline, making it challenging to keep pace with Cochise's consistent scoring. The Coyotes managed to shoot 49.1% from the field and 50% from the free-throw line by the end of the game, a dip that proved costly in the tight moments of the match.

Maximus Romero and Christian Ware came off the bench to provide a vital spark. Romero scored 12 points, including crucial three-pointers that kept the game within reach. Ware, not to be outdone, added 8 points, his three-point accuracy bolstering the team's scoring when needed most.

Defensively, CSN was solid, pulling down 31 total rebounds and forcing 15 turnovers, a testament to their aggressive gameplay. However, Cochise College capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, especially in the second half, where they excelled with an 85% completion rate, which ultimately helped them to clinch the victory.

As the buzzer sounded, the scoreline read 73-69 in favor of Cochise College. Despite the loss, the Coyotes showed great heart and teamwork, traits they will carry into their next game against Central Arizona College on Wednesday, February 12, in Coolidge, Arizona. The CSN team remains optimistic and ready to improve their standings in the upcoming games of the ACCAC season.