On Thursday evening New Mexico Military Institute saw its four-game win streak come to an end as they fell to Portales High at the Cahoon Armory Gym. With the loss, the Colts move to 10-7 overall while Portales improve to 8-9 on the year.

Q1

The visiting team opened the game strong as they held a five-point lead after four minutes. After an 8-3 run by the Rams, Xavier Johnson cut into the lead as he drilled a three to make it an 8-6 ballgame. However, Portales responded with another run, this time a 6-2 run to take a six-point lead after Patrick Alvarado put the Rams up 14-8.

In the final minute of the period, NMMI was able to cut to deficit to just two as Cole Siedenberger scored four points to go along with an assist. Jacob Hayes made it a two-point game as he nailed a shot with 20 seconds left.

Q2

Once again finding the bottom of the net, Johnson nailed a three to give the Colts their first lead of the night as they were up 15-14. After a few consecutive misses for the Colts, Portales re-took the lead with a deep three by Elijah Tellez to give the Rams the advantage.

After the teams traded buckets, the Colts were able to knot the game at 23 after Mihail Parada sunk a three as he tallied three of his team-high 10 points. After the tie, there was three additional ties after a back-and-forth. In the final 20 seconds of the half, Portales once again regained the lead with a three, this time by Joel Lujan to give the Rams a 31-28 advantage heading into halftime.

Q3

In the third quarter, it was all Portales. NMMI was held to just four points while Portales was able to extend their advantage to 10 at one point in the quarter. After the visiting team outscored the Colts 9-4 in the period, they headed into the final eight minutes with a 40-32 lead.

Q4

In an eight-point hole, NMMI used all final eight minutes to get back into the game. The Colts responded with four threes in the fourth quarter as Carper Lackey drilled a deep three just over 10 seconds remaining in the game. Lackey was fouled on the play and made it a 51-50 ballgame. However, the Colts were unable to make the free throw to tie the game. With a couple seconds remaining, Portales was able to go 1-fo-2 at the line and end the game on top 52-50.

Parada led all Colts with 10 points and seven rebounds. Diego Martinez led the way for NMMI with five assists.

NMMI will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 25 as they take on Socorro High in Socorro, NM at 5:30 p.m. MST.