T-Birds Fall Short of No. 3 Odessa

Sophomore guard Logan McLaughlin recorded his first career double-double scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the 92-89 loss to No. 3 Odessa.

The T-Birds set the tone early, jumping out to a seven-point lead to start the contest. Two free throws by Josh Nwankwo pushed the lead to 13 points, 23-10, with 9:31 to go in the half. The Thunderbirds largest lead of the game was 15 points at the 8:17 mark in the first half.

Odessa cut into the lead and made it as close as six points, 35-29, with 3:43 left. NMJC was able to extend the lead back up to double-digits, 46-34, entering halftime.

The Wranglers got off to a strong start in the second half. A Wrangler three-pointer with 15:56 left cut the lead down to one-point, 55-54. NMJC was provided a cushion by Josh Nwankwo after he hit a pair of free throws with 4:23 to make the score 85-77. 

A 6-0 run led to the first lead of the game for Odessa, 88-87, with 1:39 left in the game. Cameron Kimble hit a pair of free throws that brought the T-Birds back within one-point, 90-89, with 29 seconds remaining.

The T-Birds trailed by two points, 91-89, with six seconds left in the game. NMJC found Micah Jones in the left corner but he was unable to get the shot on target. The T-Birds would fall 92-89. 

Sophomore guard Micah Jones led the T-Birds in scoring with 19 points. Center Jeremiah Cherry finished with nine points and nine rebounds. Guard Cameron Kimble scored 16 points and added seven rebounds in the loss.

The Thunderbirds shot 25-of-63 (39.7%) from the field, 8-for-23 (34.8%) from the three-point line, and 31-of-43 (72.1%) from the charity stripe. The T-Birds turned the ball over a season-high 25 times but out-rebounded the Wranglers 49-38.

The T-Birds scored a season-high 89 points and shot a season-high 43 free throws in the loss to the Wranglers.

The Thunderbirds slip to 7-8 on the year. NMJC will play Midland College Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. MDT in Hobbs, NM.