T-Birds Escape Late Charge by Westerners

Center Jeremiah Cherry recorded his sixth double-double of the season finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the 84-83 win over Western Texas College.

The Thunderbirds got off to a terrific start. Antwaun Massey nailed a three-pointer with 14:14 left in the half to extend the T-Birds lead to 15 points, 22-7. The Westerners battled back at the midway point of the first half and hit back-to-back threes to cut the lead to four points, 28-24. 

The T-Birds responded with a 17-3 run to grab their largest lead of the game, 45-27, with 3:08 left in the half. Magok Manyang threw down a dunk with 17 seconds to go to push the lead back up to 18 points, 52-34 at the half. 

The second half was a struggle for the T-Birds. NMJC was outscored 25-10 in the first nine minutes of play. The Westerners made a layup with 2:34 remaining to pull within two points of the 78-76 T-Bird lead. 

NMJC went on to make eight straight free throws to close out the game and escape with a one-point win, 84-83.

Guard Logan McLaughlin registered his first double-double of the season dropping 14 points and 10 rebounds in the win over the Westerners.

Guard Micah Jones finished with 15 points. Forward Antwaun Massey added 12 points and guard Cameron Kimble chipped in 10 points. 

The T-Birds shot 30-of-67 (44.8%) from the field, 7-for-27 (25.9%) from the three-point line, and 17-of-22 (77.3%) from the free throw line.

The Thunderbirds improve to 11-14 on the year and 4-7 in conference. NMJC will play South Plains College Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. MDT in Levelland, Texas.