NMMI Sports Press

59 fouls were called and five players fouled out – two for the visiting Hawks and three for the home Broncos – as the New Mexico Military Institute dropped a conference basketball match-up at home on Monday to Howard College, 79-59.

Almost half of the Institute's points came from the free throw line, as both teams went an equal 27 for 37 from the charity stripe.

The turnover column was almost equal as well, with the Broncos giving away the ball just one more time than the Hawks, 15 versus 14.

But the Hawks ripped down 12 more boards (50 to 38), and shot better from the field: 39% (23 for 59) for HC, compared to NMMI's 28% (15 for 55), in a game where neither team could gain much momentum due to all the stoppages in play.

NMMI freshman point guard Isaiah Francis was again the top scorer in the contest, collecting 10 of his game-high 23 points from the foul line.

Two other Broncos posted double-digits in scoring, freshman guards Keith Deloatch with 13 and Jermane Carter with 11.

Freshman forward Kaleb Hicks was close behind with nine points, and led NMMI with just as many rebounds.

With the loss, NMMI moves to 6-14 overall and 1-6 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference. Their next game won't be until next Monday, on the road in Snyder, TX to face conference opponent Western Texas College in a 6:30 PM CST tipoff.