T-Birds take down No. 10 Odessa in OT

HOBBS, N.M. — A Desmond Medder layup with 7.2 seconds left in overtime helped the New Mexico Junior College men's basketball team hand No. 10 Odessa College its second defeat during an 84-82 victory Monday at Caster Activity Center.

It was the second key moment for Medder as the sophomore from Mesa, Ariz., drained a pair of free throws with 9.8 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 78-78 and send it to overtime.

It was a closely contested game throughout with neither team leading by double digits at any point. Odessa's largest lead was nine points with 7:44 left in the first half and NMJC's largest advantage was eight with 9:13 left. The teams were tied at 41 at the half, were tied 10 times overall and the lead changed hands 13 times.

NMJC (13-6, 2-3) outrebounded Odessa (16-2, 4-1) 55-41 and limited the Wranglers to just six offensive rebounds (NMJC had 13 of its own).

Kimani Jackson led NMJC with 15 points to go along with six rebounds, Cullen Russo had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Medder finished with 13 points and Tyler Blount had 12 points. Point guard Rene Esparza had a team-high nine assists and three steals to go along with six points.

Jaylen Brantley led Odessa with 21 points and four assists while Victor Evans had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The T-Birds hosts Midland College 7:45 p.m. Thursday.