Jones Shines in Loss at Ranger

Sophomore guard Micah Jones finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the 70-67 loss at Ranger College Monday night.

The T-Birds started off the contest trailing 10-0 but turned it around quickly by outscoring Ranger 20-9 over the next six minutes to take the 20-19 lead. 

The Thunderbirds would extend their lead by as many as seven, 30-23, with 6:30 left in the first half. NMJC took a 40-38 lead into the break.

The Rangers came out in the second half on fire outscoring the T-Birds 22-4 to take a commanding 60-44 lead over NMJC with 6:30 left in the game. 

NMJC stormed back in the final five minutes of the game making the deficit 61-66 with just under a minute to go. 

The T-Birds cut into the deficit with a three pointer by Jones to make it a one-possession game, 69-67, with 10 seconds remaining.

Ranger's guard Cincere Scott was fouled and made the first free throw but missed the second one. The Rangers gathered the offensive rebound and were sent right back to free throw line. They missed both attempts, which gave the T-Birds a shot at the buzzer but the half-court heave by Josh Nwankwo was not on target. 

Guard Logan McLaughlin finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Sophomore Cameron Kimble recorded seven points, six rebounds, and three assists off the bench.

Josh Nwankwo posted eight points in the Monday night loss. 

The T-Birds shot 26-for-62 (41.9%) from the field, 13-for-35 (37.1%) from the three-point line, and struggled from the charity stripe going 2-for-8 (25%).

The Thunderbirds fall to 7-7 on the year. NMJC will play Odessa College Saturday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. MDT in Hobbs, NM.