NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 13, 2026) — The College of Southern Nevada men's basketball team played a fiery opening 20 minutes Friday night at the Coyote Event Center, capped by a blistering shooting display that had the home crowd buzzing. But despite racing out to an early advantage built largely on perimeter success, the Coyotes were unable to sustain that momentum as Cochise College rallied in the second half for a 77–73 ACCAC victory.
The Coyotes (CSN) established the tempo early, moving the ball crisply and finding rhythm from beyond the arc. Much of that early surge came from sophomore guard Drake Watanabe, who delivered a first-half shooting performance that electrified the home crowd. Watanabe buried six three-pointers before intermission, accounting for 20 of his 20 points in the opening half and stretching Cochise's defense well beyond the paint.
Behind that perimeter barrage, CSN built as much as a 12-point lead midway through the first half. The Coyotes shot 47.1 percent from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes (8-of-17), spacing the floor effectively and generating clean looks through strong ball movement. CSN recorded 14 assists in the first half alone, consistently turning defensive rebounds into organized offensive possessions.
Cochise weathered the early storm and chipped away late in the half, trimming the deficit to four before halftime. Still, CSN carried a 42–38 advantage into the locker room, appearing in control of both pace and shot selection.
The second half, however, unfolded far differently.
Cochise tightened defensively, contesting perimeter attempts and forcing the Coyotes to finish through contact in traffic. After shooting efficiently in the first half, CSN managed just 31.6 percent from the field after the break.
Meanwhile, the Apaches found their offensive rhythm. Cochise shot 45.8 percent overall and knocked down five second-half three-pointers, several of which came during key momentum swings. More critically, Cochise capitalized at the free-throw line, finishing 8-of-9 in the second half while CSN attempted just three free throws for the entire game.
The final eight minutes featured multiple lead changes and a postseason-type intensity. A three-pointer by Demarion Yap briefly restored a two-point advantage for CSN, and later, Ivoryon Cuffee drilled a clutch triple from the wing to tie the contest at 73–73 with just over two minutes remaining.
But Cochise answered immediately.
Jhace Johnson connected on a mid-range jumper on the next possession to give the Apaches a 75–73 lead. After a defensive stop, Cochise added two free throws in the final seconds to extend the margin to four. CSN had opportunities in the closing minute but could not convert as the visitors secured the 77–73 win.
Despite the loss, several Coyotes turned in strong individual efforts.
Watanabe's 20-point first half set the tone early, finishing 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. Yap added 18 points and four assists, attacking off the dribble and helping stabilize the offense during second-half stretches.
Gerald Patterson contributed 14 points and four rebounds, working primarily inside and along the baseline. Off the bench, Maximus Romero provided six points and a team-high seven assists, facilitating offensive movement during key stretches. Qualib Ghallab added six points and seven rebounds, helping CSN remain competitive on the glass.
Cochise held a 46–44 rebounding edge and scored 18 second-chance points, a critical factor in offsetting CSN's early three-point production.
For the game, CSN shot 37.2 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three-point range. The Coyotes assisted on 21 of their 29 made field goals but struggled to generate consistent offense in the final minutes as Cochise's defensive pressure intensified.
The loss underscores the fine margins within ACCAC play, where second-half execution and free-throw disparity can quickly reshape outcomes. For CSN, the early offensive rhythm demonstrated its ceiling, while the closing stretch highlighted the importance of sustained efficiency against disciplined conference opponents.
CSN will return to ACCAC action on Wednesday, Feb. 18, hosting Yavapai College at 7:30 p.m. inside the Coyote Event Center.
For complete schedules, statistics, and updates, visit www.csncoyotes.com.
