NMJC Squeezes Past North Lake in OT

The NMJC men's basketball team needed overtime to win their regular-season opener 71-64 over Dallas North Lake Thursday night. After a wild finish to the end of regulation, the T-Birds easily took control in overtime to defeat the reigning NJCAA DIII National Champions.

NMJC led the Blazers at half 29-25 springboarded by Cameron Kimble's six points off the bench.

In the second half, the T-Birds were up 53-51 with three seconds remaining when Blazers guard Jesse Peart was fouled from beyond the arc. North Lake made the first two free throws before missing the third. The ball fell out of bounds off the T-Birds giving the North Lake one more shot to win it in regulation. The Blazers center Ryan Pondant missed a jumper at the buzzer, which sent the game to overtime. 

Cameron Kimble nailed a three-pointer and drew the foul to open up the overtime period. Kimble was able to complete the four-point play and the T-Birds never looked back, ultimately winning by a score of 71-64.

NMJC shot 23-for-58 (39.7%) percent from the field and 10-for-34 (29.4%) from the three-point line.

Sophomore guard Micah Jones was 3-for-8 from downtown with 14 points and eight rebounds. Freshman center Jeremiah Cherry registered 11 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes of play.

Sophomore guard Logan McLaughlin added 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the win. Sophomore guard Cameron Kimble provided valuable minutes off the bench scoring 12 points, including the pivotal four-point play to start overtime.

NMJC will face Pratt Community College at home Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.