MONROE (Interstat) — The Monroe Mustangs defeated the Cochise Apaches 85-82 in a men’s junior college basketball game Thursday night. Monroe improved to 9-4 overall, while Cochise fell to 6-4.

The Mustangs, who led 39-32 after a fast-paced first quarter, held off a persistent Cochise squad. Jhace Johnson led the Apaches with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Naceiar Kirksey paced Monroe with 22 points. The game was tightly contested throughout, with Monroe’s balanced scoring proving decisive in the final minutes. The Mustangs were projected as heavy favorites by statistical models.