T-Birds Too Much for Wranglers
December 10, 2019

T-Birds Too Much for Wranglers

EDUARDO MIRANDA -NEWS-SUN
December 8, 2019

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EDUARDO MIRANDA/NEWS-SUN
NMJC's Antonio Bridy goes under the two Odessa College defenders to score a layup in the Thunderbirds' 88-78 win. NMJC improves to 2-0 in WJCAC.

 

Offensive consistency led the New Mexico Junior College men's basketball team to another impressive Western Junior College Athletic Conference win Saturday. After defeating the 11th ranked Western Texas College on the road, the Thunderbirds defeated Odessa College 88-78 Saturday afternoon in Caster Activity Center.

The Thunderbirds improve to 10-2 and remain unbeaten in WJCAC at 2-0, placing them in a three-way tie for first with Clarendon College and South Plains College.

"I was very proud of the way our team battled," NMJC head coach Luke Adams said. "Odessa throws a lot of different looks at you both offensively and defensively. I'm proud of their toughness playing five games in eight days."

The Thunderbirds finished with four starters scoring in double-digits and held the Wranglers, a top five preseason ranked team, to only three. Terrence Lewis led the team in scoring and rebounding, scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 boards. Gideon George had the only other Thunderbird double-double, finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late in the second half. Keaton Harvey had 22 points and Antonio Bridy chipped in with 14 points, five assists, and three steals.

The Thunderbirds prepared themselves to face a team that is known causing its opponents to commit turnovers and play a different style of basketball. Adams was proud his players stuck to the game plan, allowing them to counter the Wrangler's press to create chances at the rim. By attacking the rim and not settling for jump shoots the Thunderbirds were able to get the charity stripe for 22 attempts in the first half and five in the second. They hit 22 of their attempts.

In the first half, the Thunderbirds attacked Odessa by driving to the paint and scoring at the rim, leading to an early 9-0 run, but the Wranglers were able to get back in it by hitting threes and forcing NMJC to take outside shots. The home team struggled behind the three-point line, and went one-for-seven in the first half, returned to playing in the paint. By scoring in the low post and at the elbow the Thunderbirds began to take control of the game, and force the Wranglers to play at their tempo. The change of tempo forced Odessa to retreat from the press and allowed the NMJC ball handlers to set up the half court offense, which had success against the 1-3-1 zone. NMJC shoot 50 percent in the first half and held Odessa to 41 percent. The Thunderbirds went into the half leading 44-33.

The second half saw the start the half strong by continuing to attack the paint and move the ball around to find the open shooter. The offense continued to shoot at a high 52 percent and not settle for outside contested shoots. The Wranglers continued to play to the Thunderbird tempo, until the final eight-minute mark when they began to press. The press caught NMJC off guard and resulted in Odessa getting back into the game. The press caused the Thunderbirds to do what Odessa wanted, commit turnovers on multiple possessions. But the home team was able to steady itself and began to beat the press with quick passes into the middle of the court and from there the Thunderbirds ran their offense. It resulted in either an open lane for Bridy or George to attack, or Lewis with a bucket in the post, or Hervey with a shot from the elbow. The multiple weapons were on display and allowed the Thunderbirds to defeat an opponent voted to win the WJCAC this year. The Thunderbirds scored 44 points in both halves.

"Its huge (to be 2-0), we are trying to get an at large bid to the national tournament," Adams said. "Taking care of our business at home is a must and the crowd was great. Our guys appreciate it and if we can take care of the home games, and take it one game at a time we can put ourselves in position for that at large bid."

UP NEXT
 NMJC vs. Mesa Community College Friday, Dec. 27 6 p.m.