T-Bird (MBB) Defeats In-State Foe NMMI

NMJC men's basketball knocked off New Mexico Military Institute 68-53 Thursday night to earn their third conference win of the season.

The T-Birds started off behind the 8-ball trailing 14-8 with 12:46 to go in the first half. NMJC subsequently exploded with a 21-0 run in response. 12 of the 21 points were made via the three ball with NMJC making four straight three-point attempts during the run. The T-Birds ended the barrage up 29-14 with just under six minutes to go in the first half. NMJC finished the first half with a 40-28 advantage over the Broncos. 

The Thunderbirds only made seven field goals in the second half but were able to shoot 9-of-10 from the free throw line to hold the advantage. The Broncos never gained enough offensive momentum in the second half and fell to the Thunderbirds by 15 points.      

Guard Deuce Benjamin finished with a game-high 13 points going 3-for-4 from 3-point territory. Rodrigo Farias reached double figures with 10 points for the third time this season.

Sophomore guard Jannoy Thomas scored 10 points after shooting 8-of-9 from the line. Amhad Jarrard scored eight points and Armon Jarrard grabbed seven boards in the win over NMMI. 

The T-Birds shot 21-for-47 (44.7%) from the field, 11-of-22 (50%) from the 3-point line, and 15-of-18 (83.3%) from the free throw line. NMJC forced 21 turnovers and held the Broncos to 42.2% from the field.

The Thunderbirds are fifth in the WJCAC standings at 3-4 behind first place Midland College who sits at 7-0.

The T-Birds move to 17-4 (3-4) and will play Clarendon College 11-10 (1-6) in Clarendon, Texas on Monday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. CST.