Peter Dindinger - NMMI Sports Press
For the first time in 10 years, the New Mexico Military Institute Colts boys’ basketball team had a chance to notch a victory over the Portales Rams.
At times, the game was close and competitive but there wasn’t enough magic for the Colts as they dropped to the Rams, 56-40, Friday night at the Godfrey Athletic Center.
It was also a second chance for the Colts to get a win over the Rams since both teams met last week with Portales coming away with a 34-point victory.
“We’ve been playing a lot of tough teams lately,” NMMI head coach Connor Williamson said. “That’s why the losses are coming. We just have to get better from where we are right now.”
It took the Colts (9-5) almost three minutes to score their first points in the game - those came in the form of two free throws by Ricardo Mata with 5:26 in the first quarter.
Trailing by nine with 5:01 left until halftime, NMMI battled back to cut the deficit to three after Daniel Xibille made a three-pointer as time expired.
The Colts later tied the game with a three-pointer by Mata, but the lead was short lived as the Rams went on a 6-0 run.
With 1:52 left in the third quarter, NMMI trailed by six points. Just as the game was within grasp again, Portales extended its lead with a three-pointer by Enrique Diaz late in the quarter.
NMMI struggled on offense in the fourth quarter as the Rams jumped out their largest lead of the game, 16 points, with 2:31 left in the contest.
Xibille led the Colts with 13 points while Mata tallied 10 before fouling out of the game. Clay Stroh chipped in with seven points and eight rebounds.
NMMI shot 10 of 14 from the charity stripe.
Josiah Tellez led the way for Portales (8-12) with 17 points and 10 boards. Kenevan Bailey also recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Portales outrebounded the Colts by a slight margin, 49-43.
After riding a six-game winning streak, NMMI has entered a tough stretch. The road doesn’t get much easier, as it starts District 4-3A play beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday hosting Tucumcari.
Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Williamson is optimistic that his team is headed in the right direction.
“Our district starts now. Now the games really matter,” he said. “I think we were too focused on things we can’t control. We just need to bounce back from tonight. I hope our kids will keep their heads up.
“We missed a lot of shots, but that’s when defense has to be there. We’re in a good place for district. We just need to continue to get better.”