T-Birds upend Midland College in overtime

MIDLAND, Texas — The New Mexico Junior College men's basketball team clinched a postseason berth after defeating Midland College 74-71 Monday at the Chaparral Center.

The Thunderbirds (21-7, 10-4) with two games left have a 2.5-game lead on fifth-place Odessa (19-8, 7-7) and Midland (17-11, 7-7) and therefore will be one of the four teams to represent the Western Junior College Athletic Conference at the Region V Tournament.

NMJC is a win or a New Mexico Military Institute loss away from clinching at least a No. 3 seed out of the WJCAC for the regional tournament and sit just a half game back of South Plains (20-6, 10-3) for the No. 2 spot and a game and a half back of Howard College (20-6, 11-2) for first place.

As for Monday's contest, NMJC was led by Cullen Russo as the sophomore had a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds – both team highs – to go along with three steals and two blocks. Malique Trent had 16 points and four steals while Randy Haynes came off the bench for 15 points and eight rebounds while Nick Billingsley had 10 points.

Maurice O'Field led Midland with a game-high 31 points while Torren Jones had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

NMJC hosts Howard College 7:45 p.m. Monday at Caster Activity Center in its final home game of the season.