YUMA, Ariz. (Feb. 21, 2026) — The College of Southern Nevada men's basketball team erased a double-digit second-half deficit and briefly reclaimed the lead Saturday afternoon, but Arizona Western College answered with a decisive late surge to secure a 93–81 ACCAC victory at The House.
The loss moves CSN to 14-14 overall and 5-9 in conference play, while Arizona Western improved to 22-7 and 12-2 in ACCAC action.
CSN opened with strong interior execution, scoring its first three baskets in the paint. Layups from Demarion Yap, Qualib Ghallab and Myron Hubbard helped the Coyotes establish an early rhythm, and a pair of free throws by Maximus Romero pushed CSN to a 25-15 advantage with 8:47 remaining in the first half — the largest lead of the opening period.
Arizona Western, however, responded with sustained efficiency.
The Matadors closed the half on a 30-9 run, fueled by Illiam Fevry and Matt Anglo. Fevry scored 15 first-half points on 7-of-10 shooting, repeatedly finishing through contact in the lane. Anglo added 12 points before the break as Arizona Western shot 45.2 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
CSN shot 40 percent from the floor in the first half (12-of-30) and converted 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, but 10 turnovers and second-chance opportunities allowed the Matadors to build a 45-34 halftime lead.
The Coyotes regrouped after intermission and mounted their strongest push midway through the second half.
Trailing 55-48 with just under 15 minutes remaining, CSN found its perimeter rhythm. Ryan Raad knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, and Yap followed with a triple of his own to trim the deficit to four. Moments later, Romero connected from deep to tie the contest at 58-58 with 12:58 left.
Yap continued the surge, converting an and-one opportunity and then drilling another three-pointer to give CSN a 64-60 lead — its first advantage since the opening half.
Arizona Western responded with poise.
Marsai Mason controlled the tempo down the stretch, scoring 17 of his 27 points in the second half while attacking the rim and drawing fouls. The Matadors reclaimed the lead at 77-76 with 5:44 remaining and methodically extended the margin over the final minutes.
Fevry proved especially difficult to contain late, finishing with a game-high 29 points on 14-of-20 shooting. Anglo added 21 points, and Mason contributed 27 points and 13 rebounds as Arizona Western shot 54.3 percent in the second half.
CSN remained efficient offensively, shooting 47.2 percent after halftime and finishing the game at 43.9 percent overall. The Coyotes were strong from three-point range (11-of-27, 40.7 percent) and a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line.
Romero led CSN with 24 points, going 7-of-14 from the field and 8-of-8 at the line. He added five assists and three rebounds while logging 40 minutes.
Yap finished with 16 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while Gerald Patterson provided 13 points and five rebounds off the bench. Raad contributed nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range.
Despite solid perimeter efficiency, the Coyotes were outrebounded 46-33 and allowed 48 points in the paint. Arizona Western also converted 18 points off turnovers and 12 second-chance points, both key factors in the outcome.
The game featured five lead changes and three ties, with CSN showing resilience in the second half before the Matadors' depth and interior presence ultimately created separation.
Next up: CSN travels to Thatcher, Ariz., on Wednesday, Feb. 25, to face Eastern Arizona College in ACCAC play.
For complete schedules, statistics, and updates, visit www.csncoyotes.com
