Thunderbirds Take Down Otero for Second Time

The Thunderbirds had five players in double figures as NMJC beat Otero College for the second time this season 69-53.

Otero led the game 2-1, however it would be the final time they had the advantage. The Thunderbirds took the lead and pushed it to double digits following a 12-0 run to make the score 13-2 with 13:10 remaining.

The T-Birds went into the break with a 32-15 lead following a wacky ending to the first half. Isaiah Alexander went to the free throw line with three seconds left, made his first free throw and then missed the second. Alexander grabbed the offensive board, took a dribble and converted the bucket as time expired to put the T-Birds up by 17 points. 

Otero never threatened in the second half but did outscore NMJC 38-37. The T-Birds went on to win by 16 points over the Rattlers. 

Redshirt freshman guard Michael Mackey finished 13 points, five steals, and five rebounds. Forward Francois Nkoy-Eale tallied 12 points and five rebounds.

Wing Isaiah Alexander finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Alexander has finished with 11 plus points in 5-of-8 games so far this season.

Amhad Jarrard recorded 10 points, while twin brother Armon Jarrard posted 11 points. Redshirt freshmen Victor Ezeh and Marquan Harris each grabbed six rebounds.

The T-Birds shot 25-of-64 (39.1%) from the field, 4-of-24 (16.7%) from the 3-point land, and 15-of-25 (60.0%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds forced 25 turnovers and held the Rattlers to 32.2% from the field and 5.3% from beyond the arc.

The No. 7 Thunderbirds improve to 9-0 on the season and will face Collin College on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. CST in Plano, Texas.