NMJC (MBB) Takes Down Coyotes by 30

The Thunderbirds had a raucous crowd in attendance during Thursday afternoon's 78-48 win against Weatherford College. 

The T-Birds welcomed Highland Middle School's seventh grade class to come and watch the Thunderbirds take on the Coyotes. 

Three triples fueled the T-Birds to a 14-3 advantage at the 12:45 mark in the first half. NMJC blew the game open over the next eight minutes outscoring the Coyotes 19-11 to hold a 19-point lead with 4:13 to go in the half. NMJC ended the half with a 20-point lead over Weatherford, 40-20.

In the second half, the Coyotes tried to chip away at the lead but were only able to get within 19 points with 12:15 to go. NMJC steamrolled Weatherford the rest of the way winning by 30 points, 78-48. Weatherford was coming off an OT victory the day prior against preseason No. 1 South Plains. 

Redshirt freshman guard Rodrigo Farias finished in double figures with 12 points. Redshirt sophomore Amhad Jarrard shot 50% from the field recording nine points and four rebounds.  

The T-Birds had three players in double figures from the bench.

Hobbs local Michael Mackey finished with 10 points and four rebounds in the 30-point win. Jayden Spearman knocked down six 3-pointers to finish with 20 points and five rebounds. Spearman has hit 13 threes in the last two games. 

Redshirt sophomore guard Deuce Benjamin finished with 13 points. Benjamin had scored 10 plus points in 6-of-8 games so far this season.  

The T-Birds shot 27-of-68 (39.7%) from the field, 16-of-42 (38.1%) from the 3-point line, and 8-of-12 (66.7%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds forced 20 turnovers, held the Coyotes to 40% from the field and 28.6% from three-point land.

The No. 13 Thunderbirds move to 8-0 on the season and will play next against Otero College on Friday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. CST in Plano, Texas.