T-Bird (MBB) Completes 19-Point Comeback

NMJC men's basketball overcame a 19-point deficit to defeat No. 12 Frank Phillips College on the road 72-70 Monday night.

Armon Jarrard's go-ahead triple with :03 seconds on the clock sealed the comeback win for the Thunderbirds. 

The Thunderbirds trailed for most of the game. Forward Francois Nkoy-Eale threw down a dunk at the 14:46 mark to give NMJC their largest lead of the game at 12-10. Frank responded, going on a 25-4 run to give the Plainsmen a 35-16 lead with 6:59 left in the first half.

The T-Birds cut into the deficit at the break as Frank Phillips finished in front 42-29.

NMJC trailed in the second half by double digits 50-39 with 15:03 left in the game.

A pair of Isaiah Alexander free throws brought NMJC within five points, 57-52, with 9:40 left in the game. Frank pushed the lead up to seven points, 60-67, with 1:39 left in the game.

Alexander drilled a 3-pointer and was fouled completing the four-point play which cut the deficit to one possession, 67-64, Frank with 1:28 left in the game. Armon Jarrard knocked down a 3-pointer off the backboard to tie the game with 50 seconds to go.

Frank drove down the court and made a layup at the 30 second mark to push the lead to 69-67. A pair of free throws by Jannoy Thomas with 20 seconds left tied the game 69-69. The Plainsmen's Sherman Weatherspoon went to the line with 16 seconds left and hit 1-of-2 from the stripe to make the score 70-69 Frank Phillips. 

Jannoy Thomas took it to the basket after the missed free throw, but Frank poked the ball out of bounds on the baseline to give NMJC a shot with six seconds remaining. Thomas inbounded the ball and passed the ball to the left wing where Armon Jarrard sprung open for a 3-pointer which he drilled with three seconds to go giving NMJC a 72-70 lead.

The bucket was their first lead since the 14:46 mark in the first half. Frank Phillips' Se'yphon Triplett missed a floater off the backboard as time expired giving NMJC a critical win over No. 12 Frank Phillips.      

The 8-6 Thunderbirds remain in fifth place in the WJCAC standings behind first place South Plains at 11-2, Frank Phillips at 9-4, Midland at 9-4, and Odessa College at 9-5. 

Sophomore guard Jannoy Thomas finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Isaiah Alexander finished with 14 points and five rebounds.

Armon Jarrard went 3-for-4 from 3-point land posting 13 points and three rebounds. Jayden Spearman recorded four rebounds. 

The T-Birds shot 19-for-55 (34.5%) from the field, 5-of-15 (33.3%) from the 3-point line, and 29-of-35 (82.9%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds forced 15 turnovers.

NMJC earned their fourth straight win over a ranked opponent and move to 22-6 (8-6). The Thunderbirds face New Mexico Military Institute 6-20 (1-12) in Roswell, NM Monday, March 3 at 7 p.m. MST.