T-Birds Struggle Offensively Versus Ranger 

Freshman center Jeremiah Cherry notched his second double-double of the season with 13 points, a career-high 11 rebounds, and three blocks as the Thunderbirds fell to Ranger College Saturday afternoon 66-51.

The T-Birds made a statement hitting back-to-back three-pointers to start the game to go up 6-0. However, the Rangers responded by taking the lead 11-8 with 13:36 remaining in the half. 

Ranger would go on to extend their lead to double-digits by outscoring the T-Birds 24-11 the rest of the half, opening up a 16-point lead 35-19.  

Sophomore Cameron Kimble's layup with 14:49 to go in the game cut the deficit to 12 points 42-30. Kimble would finish the evening with eight points. The 12-point deficit proved to be the closest the Thunderbirds would get for the rest of the afternoon as they would go on to lose their first game all season by double-digits 66-51.

Starting guard Micah Jones scored seven points for NMJC but had a tough day shooting for the T-Birds going 1-for-16 from the field and 1-of-9 from three.

The Thunderbirds couldn't get anything to fall offensively Saturday shooting 21-of-65 (32.3%) from the field and 4-for-25 (16%) from the three-point line in the loss. NMJC struggled from the free throw line going 5-for-11 (45.5%). Defensively NMJC was able to force 17 turnovers. 

NMJC falls to 5-7 on the season. The T-Birds will have a 27-day break from action before returning to Hobbs to play Otero College Friday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m.