Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
DEXTER — The top two teams in District 4-3A boys’ basketball were deadlocked atop the standings with one game left to decide the No. 1 spot.
On Thursday night, the Dexter Demons captured the 41-38 victory over the New Mexico Military Institute Colts to claim the regular-season district title.
The Demons host the district championship on Friday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. As for NMMI, it will host Tucumcari in the semifinals at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
It was a tight first quarter between both squads as Dexter held a 9-8 lead. Jose Donnadieu scored all eight points for the Colts after knocking down two 3-pointers.
NMMI outscored the Demons 13-10 in the second quarter to take a 21-19 lead at the break.
Dexter’s Joshua Duran tallied eight points in the second quarter after making two shots from beyond the arc.
Duran made three 3-pointers in the first half.
Donnadieu led the Colts with 11 points at halftime.
The Demons went on an offensive streak in the third quarter by outscoring NMMI 13-5. Jorge Najera made all of his seven points during the quarter.
Juan Ruelas tallied all five of NMMI’s points during the frame.
With Donnadieu sidelined on the bench after fouling out, the Colts fought back to outscore the Demons 12-9 in the final quarter.
Unfortunately, time wasn’t on NMMI’s side as its comeback hopes were trifled.
Ruelas led the way with 14 points after he made four shots from beyond the arc. He had 11 points in the second half, nine of which came off three-pointers.
Donnadieu finished with 11 points while Emiliano Herrera chipped in with six points, all coming in the fourth quarter.
NMMI made six 3-pointers while shooting 6 of 12 from the charity stripe.
Duran had 14 points for the Demons and Brandon Calderon chipped in with 10 points.
Dexter made five shots from beyond the arc and went 10 of 19 from the free throw line. The Demons went 8 of 15 from the line in the second half.
>> UP NEXT: NMMI travels to Portales for a 12:30 p.m. tip off on Saturday to close out the regular season.
Dexter 41, NMMI 38
NMMI (5-12, 2-2)
Juan Ruelas 5 0-0 14, Jose Donnadieu 4 1-2 11, Emiliano Herrera 2 1-1 6, Matthew McCargish 1 2-6 4, Humberto Romero 1 2-2 4. Totals 13 6-12 38.
DEXTER (6-12, 3-1)
Brandon Calderon 3 3-4 10, Joshua Duran 3 3-4 14, Jorge Najera 3 1-3 7, Eric Brock 0 1-2 1, Edgar Lopez 1 0-0 3, Alex Sanchez 1 0-0 2, Kevin Villalobos 1 2-6 4. Totals 13 10-19 41.
NMMI………8……13…..5….12 --- 38
DEXTE………9….10……13….9 --- 41
3-point goals – Dexter 5 (Duran 3, Calderon, Lopez); NMMI 6 (Ruelas 4, Donnadieu 2). Total fouls – NMMI 14, Dexter 16. Fouled out – NMMI (Donnadieu). Technical fouls – NMMI (Donnadieu).