![Left: Outstanding night for point guard Joseph Thomas with 21 points and four assists in the Broncos' win at home against Clarendon. Center: Two-handed jam by Taye Williams for two of his 11 points in the game. Right: Gabin Lachesnais had four points and 3 boards off the bench for the Broncs. (NMMI Sports Press photos)](/sports/mbkb/2024-25/releases/TopshotVsClarendon27jan25.png?max_width=700)
On Monday night, New Mexico Military Institute improved to 6-13 on the year with a 1-5 mark in conference play, defeating Clarendon College 71-57 in the Cahoon Armory gym. With the loss, Clarendon dips to 1-5 in conference play with an 11-9 overall record.
H1
To open the game, the Broncos found the bottom of the net. Clarendon took their first lead with a three in the next possession down the court by Emmett Hendry. Down one, NMMI used the next five minutes to conduct an 8-2 run. Joseph Thomas made his presence felt early with a deep three to give NMMI a 10-5 lead 2ith 14:27 on the clock.
Up by five, the Broncos allowed Clarendon to get back in the game. Alex Proctor was able to put the Bulldogs in front 12-10 with a triple to re-take the lead. Over the next three minutes, the score was tied on three different occasions.
After being knotted at 19, Clarendon ended the half on a 12-7 as they headed into half with a 31-26 lead. At the half, Thomas scored half of the Broncos points with 13 points. Mohamed Ngebeh led NMMI with four rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.
H2
Down early in the second period, Clarendon tried to extend their lead but the Broncos kept answering the call. With over 15 minutes left, the visiting team held a 40-32 lead. This is where the Broncos were able to turn the game around.
In just four minutes NMMI was able to erase the deficit to just two points after Taye Williams and Gabin Lachesnais each knocked down a couple shots from the free throw line. The Broncos would knot the game at 42 after Justin Bramao denied a shot on one end and Siosiua Tu'akoi drained both free throws on the other end after being sent to the foul line.
Bramao gave the Broncos their first lead since 9:57 in the first half, finishing off a beautiful pass by Williams to but the home team ahead 44-42 with over 10 minutes remaining. In the next five minutes, the Bronco defense and offense exploded on a 14-0 run to take a commanding 58-42 lead with five left on the clock.
The Bulldogs tried to claw their way back into the game but the Broncos were not having any of it. Scoring almost every time down the court, NMMI was able to secure the 71-57 win and pick up their first victory in conference play.
Thomas led all scorers with 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting and paved the way for NMMI with four assists. On the glass, Williams led all players with nine rebounds and added 11 points. Bramao finished with 15 points and seven boards.
Head Coach Sean Schooley on the win, "overall the way we were able to defend, the way we shared the ball put us in the right position all game and gave us quality looks at the basket, Schooley said. "There's some turnovers that have to be cleaned up but overall it's good to see a win in the win column," Schooley said.
NMMI will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 30 as they travel to Hobbs, NM for a matchup with New Mexico Junior College at 6 p.m. MST.