T-Birds Rally Against NMMI

Sophomore guard Logan McLaughlin finished the night with 17 points and 5 rebounds as the Thunderbirds rallied from nine points down in the final 5:00 minutes to defeat NMMI 61-54.

A two-point bucket by Josh Nwankwo gave the T-Birds the early lead in the first half 14-12. The Broncos responded quickly, going on an 11-0 run to grab a nine-point lead, 23-14, with 5:20 to go in the first half.   

The T-Birds finished the first half down seven points, 28-21. The Thunderbirds battled back in the second half, taking the lead from the Broncos 34-32 on a layup from Micah Jones with 13:45 to go in the game. 

A Bronco three-pointer opened up a nine-point lead with 5:00 minutes to play, 52-43. McLaughlin responded immediately with a quick three to cut the deficit to six points. NMJC would outscore NMMI 18-2 in the final 4:45 of play to win 61-54.

Guard Josh Nwankwo scored 16 points and added eight rebounds. Center Jeremiah Cherry recorded 12 points and six rebounds in the seven-point victory. 

The T-Birds shot 22-of-60 (36.7%) from the field, were 6-for-20 (30%) from the three-point line, and 11-for-17 (64.7%) from the free throw line. 

The Thunderbirds improve to 10-9 on the year and 3-2 in conference. NMJC will play Howard College Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. MDT in Hobbs, NM.