T-Birds lose by a point on the road at Odessa

NEWS-SUN STAFF REPORT
February 4, 2020

The New Mexico Junior College men's basketball team lost on the road 73-72 to Odessa College Monday night. The T-Birds went into the game in Odessa looking to keep pace with Western Junior College Athletic Conference rivals Clarendon College and South Plains College for the top two spots, but the one-point loss drops NMJC to third place.

NMJC (17-6,7-2) came out strong and forced the home team to play its style of basketball. The T-Birds controlled the tempo and executed on the defensive end. They held the Wranglers to nine percent from the three-point line and 38 percent from the field. NMJC led 35-28 at the half.

The second half saw the home team find its shooting touch from the three-point line. The T-Birds watched the Wranglers hit 42 percent of its three-point attempts and shot 41 percent from the field. NMJC struggled to slow down the Wranglers offense, and could not trade baskets with the. The T-Birds fell behind but made a final push that fell short in the final minute of the game.

Terrence Lewis led NMJC with a game high 26 points and seven rebounds. Keaton Harvey had 14 points and Gideon George added 12 points. Antonio Bridy led the bench with 13 points. The T-Birds will host New Mexico Military Institute at Caster Activity Center Thursday at 6:30 p.m.