Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
It was a valiant effort put forth by the New Mexico Military Institute boys’ basketball team.
Led by Humberto Romero with 20 points, the Colts lost a close matchup to the Texico Wolverines, 50-41, Tuesday night at the Godfrey Athletic Center.
NMMI started off hot with a 4-0 run before the Wolverines tied up the score with 5:44 remaining in the opening quarter.
Texico then used a 5-0 run to pull ahead to a five-point lead. Jahvon Askew nailed a clutch three during the run.
The Wolverines took advantage of nine Colt turnovers to take an eight-point lead heading into the second quarter.
After three quick points by Romero, NMMI only trailed by two with 4:50 in the frame.
Romero scored 13 points in the second quarter to help put NMMI within reach at the break.
The Colts trailed by as much as nine with 1:48 remaining in the third quarter. NMMI closed out the quarter going on a 7-0 run to trail by two.
Off an assist by Jose Donnadieu, Lance Miller landed a clutch three-pointer while Romero and Juan Ruelas each made a pair of key buckets in the paint during the offensive spree.
Texico also missed three key free throws to aid NMMI’s comeback.
Ruelas tied up the game with 7:30 left in the final quarter. Texico answered right back by taking a two-point lead after a shot made by Cade Collins.
The Colts tied up the game once more with a shot made by Matthew McCargish which came off an assist by Donnadieu.
Max Villareal put Texico ahead by two before the Colts got a crucial offensive rebound to set up a two-pointer by Romero to tie up the game.
Askew then gave the Wolverines a one-point lead after landing one of two free throws with 4:47 left to go.
That sparked a 10-2 run by Texico, which allowed it to close out the game.
Romero also landed a pair of three-pointers for NMMI while tallying an assist and two rebounds. Ruelas chipped in with 10 points and two steals.
NMMI shot 8 of 13 from the charity stripe.
Texico had three players in double-digit scoring figures. Askew led the way with 14 points while Villareal had 12. Collins finished with 10 points.
NMMI was narrowly out rebounded 37-30. The Wolverines went 15 of 28 from the free throw line.
>> UP NEXT: NMMI plays at Goddard on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Texico 50, NMMI 41
TEXICO (8-5)
Max Villareal 4 4-4 12, Cade Collins 3 3-7 10, Cade Figg 3 1-3 8, Brayden Bender 0 3-5 3, Jahvon Askew 5 3-7 14. Totals 16 15-28 50.
NMMI (2-7)
Lance Miller 1 0-0 3, Juan Ruelas 4 2-3 10, Emiliano Herrera 2 0-1 4, Matthew McCargish 2 0-0 4, Humberto Romero 6 6-9 20. Totals 15 8-13 41.
TEXICO……14…15….6….15 --- 50
NMMI……..6….17…..10…..8 --- 41
3-point goals – Texico 3 (Collins 1, Figg 1, Askew 1); NMMI 3 (Romero 2, Miller 1). Rebounds – Texico 37 (Bender 9, Figg 7); NMMI 30 (Jose Donnadieu 8, Herrera 5, McCargish 5). Assists – Texico 6 (Collins 2); NMMI 8 (Herrera 4, Donnadieu 3). Total fouls – Texico 14, NMMI 20. Fouled out – NMMI (Herrera). Technical fouls – None.