Xibille scores 28 points, Colts lose heartbreaker to Eagles in 3A quarterfinals

From left, NMMI's Daniel Xibille, Jose Donnadieu and Ricardo Mata combined for 45 of NMMI's 47 points in the Class 3A quarterfinals. (Photo illustration by NMMI Sports Press)
From left, NMMI's Daniel Xibille, Jose Donnadieu and Ricardo Mata combined for 45 of NMMI's 47 points in the Class 3A quarterfinals. (Photo illustration by NMMI Sports Press)
Posted: May 03, 2021

Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

RIO RANCHO – It was a rematch of last year’s first round Class 3A state playoff boys basketball game.

After losing the last meeting by 14 points, the Navajo Prep Eagles had revenge on their mind.

The Eagles were able to edge out the No. 6 New Mexico Military Institute Colts 48-47 Monday night at Cleveland High School in the 3A quarterfinals.

No. 3 Navajo Prep (12-1) advances to the semifinals to take on No. 2 seeded Hot Springs on Wednesday.

NMMI trailed 12-5 with 2:31 in the first quarter. The Eagles got two quick three-pointers from Dontrelle Denetso and Javy Attcitty.

Daniel Xibille played his heart out, scoring all of NMMI’s 10 points in the opening quarter while making two shots from beyond the arc.

Trailing by five, the Colts cut the deficit to within one point with 3:41 left until halftime.

Ricardo Mata scored seven points for NMMI as it narrowly outscored the Eagles 13-11 to trail by three at the break.

Navajo Prep got back out to a five-point lead with 1:50 in the third quarter.

After a three by Xibille just before time expired in the frame, the game was tied up at 35-35.

The Colts flipped the script by outscoring Navajo Prep 12-9 in the third quarter. All nine of the Eagles’ points came off three-pointers.

Xibille fired off 10 points in the third quarter while draining two shots from beyond the arc.

NMMI took a one-point lead with 4:46 on the clock in the final quarter.

Xibille knocked down two more three-pointers to tally eight of NMMI’s 12 points in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles landed their seventh three-pointer of the night when Jude Thomas hit one to keep the deficit at one point with 2:26 remaining.

Navajo Prep then took a 48-47 lead with 17.3 seconds in the contest.

NMMI had a golden opportunity to win the game in the waning seconds but was unable to capitalize in the paint as Navajo Prep came away the rebound to spoil a comeback.

Xibille led all scorers with 28 points as he made six three-pointers and grabbed five rebounds. He also shot 4 of 10 from the free throw line.

Mata and Xibille combined for 37 of the Colts’ 47 points. Mata chipped in with nine points and five rebounds.

Jose Donnadieu added with eight points and six boards while Jaikayo Brown had a two-pointer in the second quarter to finish with two points and three rebounds.

The Colts shot 10 of 19 from the charity stripe. NMMI narrowly out rebounded the Eagles 23-22.

One of the overall differences was NMMI committed 13 turnovers compared to Navajo Prep’s nine.

NMMI matched the Eagles in making seven three-pointers.

Attcitty led Navajo Prep with 14 points and four rebounds while Morris had 11 points.

Thomas grabbed seven rebounds and scored eight points. Jay John dominated the glass tallying nine boards along with six points.

Navajo Prep 48, NMMI 47

NMMI (8-4)

Ricardo Mata 2 4-4 9, Jaikayo Brown 1 0-2 2, Daniel Xibille 9 4-10 28, Jose Donnadieu 3 2-3 8. Totals 14 10-19 47.

Navajo Prep (12-1)

Isaiah Morris 4 2-2 11, Kylen Litt 1 0-0 3, Dontrelle Denetso 2 0-0 6, Javy Attcitty 6 0-0 14, Jude Thomas 3 1-2 8, Jay John 3 0-0 6. Totals 19 3-4 48.

NMMI……….10……13…..12…..12 -- 47
Navajo..…..15……..11……9…..13 --- 48

3-point goals – NMMI 7 (Xibille 6, Mata); Navajo Prep 7 (Morris, Litt, Denetso 2, Attcitty 2, Thomas). Rebounds — NMMI 23, Navajo Prep 22. Total fouls – NMMI 13, Navajo Prep 19. Fouled out – None. Technical fouls – None.

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