NMJC (MBB) Wins 4th Straight

The Thunderbirds used a huge second half surge to defeat Western Texas College 83-62.

The first half was hyper competitive with eight lead changes throughout the period. WTC had a narrow advantage for most of the first half and led by as many as five points, 37-32, with under 1:30 to go in the half. Kenny Fields hit a triple to make it a one possession game at halftime with the Westerners ahead 37-35.

The T-Birds flew out the gates in the second half with a 18-2 run to grab a 53-39 lead with 13:35 left. NMJC continued to steamroll WTC the rest of the game outscoring the Westerners 48-25 in the second half. The Thunderbirds defeated WTC by 21 points.    

Sophomore forward Delang Muon scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed five rebounds in the win after shooting 7-for-12 from the field. 

Kemauri Millender finished with 15 points and snagged three steals. RJ Nance recorded 13 points and notched four rebounds. 

Grigorije Avramovic made his presence known all across the court with 11 rebounds, nine points, and six assists. Michael Mackey led the T-Birds off the bench with seven points. 

The T-Birds shot 30-for-74 (40.5%) from the field, 13-of-39 (33.3%) from the 3-point line, and 10-of-19 (52.6%) from the free throw line. NMJC forced 16 turnovers and held the Westerners to 40.4% from the field.

The T-Birds are third in the WJCAC standings, trailing South Plains College by one game and first place Howard by 2.5 games.  

The Thunderbirds improve to 19-4 (6-3) on the year and will face Howard College in Hobbs, NM Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. MST.