T-Birds (MBB) Win at NMMI Clinches Spot in Region V Tournament

The NMJC men's basketball team clinched a coveted spot in the Region V Tournament with their 71-43 win over New Mexico Military Institute on Monday night.

The top four seeds in the WJCAC are as follows No. 1 South Plains (13-2), No. 2 Midland College (11-4), No. 3 Frank Phillips College (10-5), and No. 4 NMJC (9-6). The scenarios left to solidify the west side of the Region V bracket are as follows. 

Frank Phillips would be the No. 2 seed and Midland would be the No. 3 seed if Frank wins on Thursday and Midland loses. Frank can clinch third place with a win at home versus Howard. The Plainsmen can also clinch third with a loss and an NMJC loss. 

The Thunderbirds can steal the third seed with a win on Thursday and a Frank Phillips loss.

The in-state rivalry for NMJC and NMMI was not enough to muster a competitive game throughout the contest. NMJC led 36-21 at halftime and outscored the Broncos 35-22 in the second half to win by 28 points.  

Sophomore Jannoy Thomas set a career high with 12 assists on the night. The 12 assists are the most by an NMJC guard under head coach Luke Mackay. Armon Jarrard went 4-for-9 from the 3-point line to finish with a team-high 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists. 

Sophomore wing Isaiah Alexander recorded 12 points and eight rebounds. The Phoenix, Ariz. native, Garrison Phelps, tied a career high in rebounds with 10 while scoring seven points on the offensive end.

Jayden Spearman went 4-for-8 from the 3-point land to finish with 12 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Center Melian Martinez finished with five rebounds. 

The T-Birds shot 28-for-63 (44.4%) from the field, 10-of-30 (33.3%) from the 3-point line, and were a perfect 5-of-5 (100%) from the charity stripe. NMJC held the Broncos to 32.7% from the field.

NMJC has won three straight to improve to 23-6 (9-6). The T-Birds have now tied their win total from last season.

The Thunderbirds face Clarendon College 12-17 (2-13) in the final game of the regular season for Sophomore Night in Hobbs, NM Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. MST. 

The Sophomore Night presentation will occur following the conclusion of the women's basketball game.