NMMI Sports Press
The New Mexico Military Institute Lady Colt basketball team showed couldn’t overcome a slow start, dropping their first game of the new year at home to Loving, 53-36.
Not having played a game since the holiday break – one month ago on Dec. 16 vs. Gateway Christian to be exact – the Lady Colts looked a bit rusty in the first period of play, allowing the Lady Falcons to fly away with a 21-5 lead.
But in the second period, the Institute found a way to get the ball past Loving’s full-court pressure, and turned up the defense to win the second quarter, 8-7.
NMMI’s offense started clicking in the third period, pouring in 12 points during the stanza, but their defense slipped a bit, allowing the Falcons to put up 16 points.
NMMI won the fourth quarter as well, 11-9, showing they can compete against larger 2A schools.
Sophomore Chimani Davis led the Institute in points with 12, while senior Miranda Garcia knocked down 10, and junior Tianna Tsosie posted nine.
“I’m really proud of my girls, especially after such a long break” said NMMI head coach Marisha Olesinski. “It was our first game after only three practices, and we just couldn’t find any rhythm there in the first quarter. But we finally warmed up, started playing good defense, and realized we could compete with the other team. We were fighting the whole time and that’s what I want our girls to do: show good character, never give up, and keep fighting.”
With the loss, the Lady Colt drop to 1-4 on the season, while the Lady Falcons improve to 8-7.
The Institute’s next game will be on the road in Hagerman, taking on the Bobcats on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 5:00 P.M.