NMJC (MBB) Falls to WTC in OT

The T-Birds suffered a heartbreaking 84-83 loss to Western Texas College in overtime Monday night. 

The Thunderbirds trailed by as many as 22 points in the second half before finding a spark in the final five minutes of the game. 

The game was competitive in the first half and following a Francois Nkoy-Eale layup the score was tied at 16 with 10 minutes to go in the half. The team struggled offensively the rest of the way being outscored 26-7 to trail 42-23 at the break.

The T-Birds trailed 45-23 at the 18:46 mark, it was their largest deficit of the game. NMJC was still behind 53-32 with 14 minutes left in the game. Western Texas still looked in control 71-58 with 3:42 to go in the game. An Armon Jarrard jumper with 3:30 made the score 71-60. Then, Jannoy Thomas hit two free throws at the 2:27 mark.

Things got interesting when Deuce Benjamin hit a 3-pointer with 1:44 left to make the deficit 72-65. Benjamin knocked down another three-pointer with 53 seconds left to make it 72-68. Armon Jarrard continued the comeback with a bucket to bring NMJC within two points, 72-70, with 17 seconds to go.

A free throw by the Westerners made the score 73-70 with under 10 seconds in the game. Jayden Spearman knocked down a deep triple to tie the game with four seconds left in the contest.

The game headed to overtime where NMJC led 81-77 after a triple by Benjamin, another three by Spearman, and an Armon Jarrard layup. The Westerners closed the gap and took the 82-81 lead with a layup at the 10 second mark. 

Sophomore Jannoy Thomas raced down the court and made the go-ahead layup that brought NMJC in front with three seconds on the clock. Unfortunately Deuce Benjamin was whistled for a controversial foul on a 35-footer that sent the Westerners to the line with one second to go. Western Texas hit 2-of-3 free throws to steal the game 84-83.   

Five Thunderbirds finished in double figures in the one-point loss to the Westerners. 

Deuce Benjamin was 5-for-11 from three scoring 21 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Jayden Spearman finished with 18 points going 6-for-13 from 3-point land. 

Amhad Jarrard finished with 10 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Armon Jarrard registered 13 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Jannoy Thomas posted 11 points and seven assists.  

The Thunderbirds are fifth place in the WJCAC standings at 5-5 behind first place Midland College and South Plains who sit at 8-2. Frank Phillips is third at 6-3 and Odessa is fourth at 6-4. 

The T-Birds shot 27-for-74 (36.5%) from the field, 14-of-40 (35%) from the 3-point line, and 15-of-23 (65.2%) from the charity stripe. NMJC forced 19 turnovers. 

The No. 25 T-Birds fall to 19-5 (5-5) and will play No. 21 Odessa College 17-7 (6-4) in Hobbs, NM Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. MST.

The Thunderbirds will welcome Greg Brown Jr. (1990-92) into the WJCAC Hall of Fame at halftime of NMJC vs. Odessa.