Benjamin's Season-High 21 Helps Outlast Thunderducks

The T-Birds finished their Thanksgiving road stretch with a tight 79-71 win over Dallas College Richland on Monday, Dec. 2. 

The Thunderbirds trailed the Thunderducks at the half 30-29, but a second-half comeback helped spur the T-Birds to victory. NMJC outscored Richland 50-41 in the final 20 minutes to win by eight points.  

Redshirt sophomore guard Deuce Benjamin recorded a season-high 21 points. Amhad Jarrard scored 20 points and added five rebounds in the eight-point win.  

Isaiah Alexander snagged a career-high 10 rebounds while guard Rodrigo Farias registered a career-high seven assists.

Armon Jarrard finished with 15 points and Jayden Spearman grabbed eight rebounds in the road victory.

The T-Birds shot 27-of-57 (47.4%) from the field, 11-of-31 (35.5%) from the 3-point line, and 14-of-19 (73.7%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds held the Thunderducks to 42.9% from the field and 23.5% from three-point land.

The Thunderbirds climbed into the top 2 nationally on Monday. The No. 2 spot marks their highest ranking in school history. NMJC improves to 11-0 on the season and will play University of Arkansas Cossatot Saturday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. MST in Hobbs, NM.