The Cochise men have won the Division I Region I, basketball championship with an 83-62 victory over Arizona Western Saturday in Douglas.
The Apaches will now move on to the, NJCAA Division I national championship in Hutchinson, Kan., beginning April 19.
Cochise built a 40-35 halftime lead but gradually pulled away in the second period to claim the title.
The Apaches were led by Brian Rios and Stephen Byard, each of whom scored 18 points and shot a combined 12-19 from the floor. Jonathan Garcia came off the bench to add 16 points and Jalun Trent contributed 10 rebounds.
Cochise shot a sizzling .549 (28-51).
AZW got 15 points from Mojus Mojus and 12 from Malik Salahuddin.
CC enters national play with an 11-2 record while AZW finishes 11-3.
