YUMA, AZ – A strong start wasn't enough as the Laramie County Community College men's basketball team lost a defensive battle in Arizona on Thursday afternoon, falling to Central Arizona College 64-63 at the Christmas Classic hosted by Arizona Western College.

"I don't know what to say, because I thought our defense was solid," Head Coach DeWayne Saulsberry said. "We got in foul trouble early and I think that threw us off. Besides that, I didn't think we played bad at all, just didn't have a whole lot of life offensively that first half."

The Golden Eagles were the first to put their imprint on the game, getting out to an 11-5 lead in the first five minutes. Both defenses came to play and slowly the Vaqueros were able to put a lid over the LCCC basket and not only trimmed into the gap but used a 19-4 run to take at 24-17 lead and force a Saulsberry timeout.

Both teams played out the stretch to a draw from there, but the Golden Eagles were in a hole 31-24.

"In the first half we just couldn't make a shot," Saulsberry said. "Our defense kept us in it. When we were not making shots, we really let that affect our energy. I think we are just now learning to compete when shots aren't falling and I think we did."

The lead for Central Arizona grew to as much as 17 in the second half, with the high-water mark coming with 8:45 to go. Down 58-41, LCCC made a move behind an 8-0 run triggered by TJ Coulter, who finished with all ten of his points in the second half.

LCCC closed the gap to 59-61 on a Phoenix Bullock drive to the hoop with 3:15 to go, and it seemed like time was on the Golden Eagles side, but the word of the day had been defense, and that continued to be the trend.

LCCC and CAC combined for only seven total points in the final three minutes and a dagger of a three-pointer from the Vaqueros would give them the win, dropping the Golden Eagles to 6-10 on the season with the 64-63 loss.

Saulsberry also said it was turnovers at the end that really bit the Golden Eagles, who had a stretch of three straight possessions that ended with the ball in the Vaquero's hands.

"Stuff like that we have to clean up before conference time," he said. "I think we have things figured out on the offensive end. You just cannot have the turnovers."

Bullock led the way for the team, overcoming a 1-7 first half to get 16 points along with three assists and three rebounds. Coulter was the only other Golden Eagle in double digits with 10 points.

Team rebounding was a huge stat in the game, with Central Arizona winning on the glass 52-35, only allowing 20 defensive rebounds for LCCC. Defensively though, LCCC was strong, picking up 10 steals and forcing 15 turnovers in the game.

LCCC has one more game to close out the break against the host Arizona Western College Matadors. The opening tip for that contest is scheduled for 1:00 pm MST. More information can be found at www.golccc.com.