Bucs Close out 2025 with another Nail Biter
Playing their fifth game in the past six days, the Dawson Buccaneers beat the Cochise College Apaches 84-83. This was their third and final game in the Arizona Western Winter Fest tournament. Dawson closes out 2025 with a 10-6 record.
"It was a fun game tonight against a good team with a similar style as us," explained Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "Cochise is fast and athletic and really aggressive. I thought we played hard and strong. We made good decisions and took care of the ball. I think these five games in less than a week have taught us a lot about ourselves and made us much better. If we play hard and play together, we are a pretty tough team. But we have to do that consistently, night in and night out, and for all forty minutes."
Cochise won the tip-off and got a dunk in the first five seconds. The Bucs answered right back to tie it up. Cochise took another brief lead at 5-4 before Dawson grabbed the lead for good, gradually building up a sixteen point advantage with five minutes remaining before the break. Michael Murphy and Kai Guess led the way for the Bucs. Murphy scored ten points in the first half on two three-pointers and two offensive rebound putbacks. Dawson scored ten second chance points on seven offensive rebounds. Guess added nine points. Dawson only turned it over two times in the opening half while forcing eight turnovers and holding Cochise to 1-10 shooting from long range. Dawson outscored the Apaches 45-36 in the first half.
The Buccaneers maintained a sizable lead for most of the second half. Every challenge by Cochise was met by Dawson. Cochise could never make a significant run to give themselves a chance until the final minute. The closest they got was the final margin after Davon Jones made a three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left. Dawson was able to throw it deep and get their hands on it to see the clock run out and give them another narrow win.
Dawson's defense held Cochise College to 40% shooting from the field and 23% from the 3-point line. They also only turned it over only eight times all game which is their lowest total this season. The Bucs grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and scored 24 second chance points. Matt Kinzeler led five Buccaneers in double figures with 13 points. Two others were close to double figures. Brandon Hymes had a strong overall game with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Kuich Gatwech pulled down a team high 7 rebounds. Jhace Johnson led Cochise with 20 points.
The Buccaneers will be off for a couple of weeks for Christmas break and will return to action in January.
