T-Birds Finish 2nd in WJCAC, Set for Rematch vs. Collin at Region V Tournament
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
33 | 44 | 77 |
|
|
47 | 41 | 88 |
Team Stats
Odessa College
| Game Statistics | Odessa College | New Mexico Junior College |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (26-73) | (27-53) |
| Field Goal % | 35.6% | 50.9% |
| Rebounds | 37 | 42 |
| Assists | 9 | 21 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 19 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 26 | 14 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 12 | 10 |
| Pts in the Paint | 26 | 18 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 0 | 0 |
| Bench Pts | 28 | 35 |
The No. 15 NMJC men's basketball team defeated Odessa College 88-77 in the regular season finale to finish in second place in the WJCAC on Thursday, March 5.
The T-Birds led from the get-go on sophomore night, shocking the Wranglers with a 15-0 lead in the first five minutes of play. NMJC was ahead of Odessa 47-33 at the break. In the second half, NMJC led by as many as 22 points and held off a valiant charge late to earn the 88-77 wire-to-wire victory over the Wranglers.
RJ Nance finished the night with 24 points, knocking down six triples and adding three assists. Center Ladji Coulibaly was in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Kenny Fields was the top scorer off the bench with 13 points, while forward Delang Muon registered 10 points. Garrison Phelps added six points and seven rebounds.
Grigorije Avramovic finished with six rebounds and five assists in the 11-point win.
The T-Birds shot 27-for-53 (50.9%) from the field, 17-of-30 (56.7%) from the 3-point line, and 17-of-26 (65.4%) from the free throw line. The 56.7% from the beyond the arc and 17 3-pointers are the highest percentage/makes all season. NMJC held the Wranglers to 35.6% from the field.
The Thunderbirds swept Odessa in conference for the first time since 2014. NMJC tied for second place in the WJCAC with South Plains College at 12-4. Howard College won the WJCAC with a 13-3 record and Midland College was fourth at 11-5.
The T-Birds will now head to the Region V Tournament in Odessa, Texas (Odessa College).
NMJC will represent the WJCAC as the No. 3 seed and will face No. 2 seed Collin College from the NTJCAC. The game is set to tip Thursday, March 12 at 5 p.m. CDT.
NMJC has played once Collin this season where they suffered their only non-conference defeat 86-77 on the road over Thanksgiving break.
The No. 15 Thunderbirds improve to 25-5 (12-4) on the year and will start the postseason with a Region V Tournament first round matchup against Collin College in Odessa, Texas Thursday, March 12 at 5 p.m. CDT.