Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press

The District 4-3A semifinal game came down to the wire between the Tucumcari Rattlers and New Mexico Military Institute Colts on Tuesday night.

With a chance to send the game into a second overtime period, the Colts fell short by losing 53-51 in overtime at the Godfrey Athletic Center.

Tucumcari advances to the district tourney championship in Dexter at 6 p.m. Friday.

“Forced it to overtime. Just didn’t come out on top,” said NMMI head coach Connor Williamson. “It was an uphill battle all year and they definitely did what I asked them, which was to fight to the end.”

NMMI had a hot start in the opening quarter as Juan Ruelas landed a three-pointer that came off an assist by Lance Miller.

Ruelas connected for another trey with 3:47 left to give the Colts a five-point lead.

The Colts finished the quarter on a 6-0 run after a pair of three-pointers by Miller.

Trailing 15-8, the Rattlers went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 19-all.

NMMI regained the lead after Jose Donnadieu made one of two free throws. Tucumcari then tied up the game once more after Nathan Griego landed one free throw.

Tucumcari went on a 4-0 run before Nicholas Cho cut the deficit to three at halftime after he made one of two free throws with 11 seconds to go.

The Rattlers led by six in the third quarter after a three-pointer by Andrew Henderson-Clark with 2:28 to go.

A shot in the paint by Donnadieu chiseled the deficit to four at the end of three.

Miller hit a clutch three-pointer to start the fourth quarter to put NMMI back within one point.

Henderson-Clark got four quick points to put the Rattlers back ahead by five.

Ruelas was then sent to the free throw line where he landed a pair of free throws with 5:58 on the clock.

Trailing by three, the Colts capitalized on a Tucumcari turnover as Steven Griego landed a three-pointer to tie the game at 40-all.

The Colts took a two-point lead after Matthew McCargish landed a shot in the paint and a free throw after getting fouled on the scoring play.

Dominick Jasper tied up the score at 43-all with a two-pointer before Steven Griego put NMMI back on top with another shot in the paint.

Miller gave the Colts a four-point lead with a shot made off an assist by Donnadieu with 4:23 left.

Tucumcari came back to tie the game at 47-all with 1:52 on the clock.

Henderson-Clark gave the Rattlers the two-point lead with 58 seconds to go.

The Rattlers had a chance to extend their lead but Kaden Brown missed a free throw that was rebounded by Donnadieu.

Three timeouts were called during the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.

With Steven Griego throwing in the ball for the Colts, there was just eight seconds remaining on the clock.

Donnadieu caught the pass and quickly made a layup as time expired to tie the ballgame at 49-all.

To start the overtime period, McCargish put NMMI up by two before Henderson-Clark tied up the game for the seventh time.

Each team had some missed opportunities on offense before Henderson-Clark landed a two-pointer to put the Rattlers on top 53-51.

The Rattlers came up with a turnover which gave the Colts a golden chance to send the game into another overtime period, unfortunately NMMI couldn’t capitalize.

Miller led the Colts with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and three 3-pointers. Donnadieu finished with nine points.

Ruelas and McCargish each chipped in with eight points.

NMMI finished with six 3-pointers while shooting 7 of 16 from the free throw line.

Henderson-Clark led all scorers with 26 points and Jasper added with 15 points. Curtis Gonzales grabbed 13 rebounds.

The Rattlers won the rebounding battle 33-26 while they shot 10 of 18 from the charity stripe.

NMMI graduates three seniors — Miller, Ruelas and Donnadieu — from this year’s squad.

“All three seniors started and definitely were three of the biggest contributors,” Williamson added. “They did their jobs for sure, and we’ll miss them. I’m excited about the group we have coming back.”

Tucumcari 53, NMMI 51 (OT)

TUCUMCARI (7-16)

Nathan Griego 0 1-2 1, Dominick Jasper 6 2-5 15, Curtis Gonzales 2 1-2 5, Kaden Brown 1 4-5 6, Andrew Henderson-Clark 11 2-4 26. Totals 20 10-18 53.

NMMI (5-14)

Lance Miller 4 0-0 11, Juan Ruelas 2 2-2 8, Jose Donnadieu 4 1-4 9, Emiliano Herrera 1 1-2 3, Matthew McCargish 3 2-3 8, Humberto Romero 2 0-2 4, Nicolas Cho 0 1-2 1, Steven Griego 3 0-1 7. Totals 19 7-16 51.

TUCU……….8……16…..12….13….4 --- 53

NMMI……..15……6……11….17….2 --- 51

3-point goals – NMMI 6 (Miller 3, Ruelas 2, Griego); Tucumcari 3 (Henderson-Clark 2, Jasper). Rebounds — NMMI 26 (Miller 5, Ruelas 5, Donnadieu 5); Tucumcari 33 (Gonzales 13, Henderson-Clark 6). Assists — NMMI 12 (Miller 3, Griego 3, Donnadieu 3); Tucumcari 14 (Griego 7, Gonzales 5). Total fouls – Tucumcari 18, NMMI 20. Fouled out – Tucumcari (Henderson-Clark); NMMI (Ruelas). Technical fouls – None.