NMMI Sports Press
Using a combination of solid defense and good, open looks at the basket on offense, the Bronco men's basketball team built up a commanding 13-point lead at the half, 40-27, against visiting WJCAC for Western Texas College.
They then watched that lead slowly evaporate in the second, thanks to inspired defense and extra-chance points off of offense rebounds by the Westerners.
"We lost a very similar game last Monday to Howard," said head Bronco coach Ralph Davis. "They hit a 40-footer to tie it and send it to overtime. So there were a few scares and situations tonight, places where we could have put it away but didn't, but in the end, we did what we needed to and got the win."
In fact, WTC did have a one-point lead, 57-56, with 3:21 left in regulation, but NMMI quickly made it a 5-point affair, 62-57, after four consecutive points by the game's top scorer, Jaylen Williams, and a pair of free throws by Atem Bior, who finished third in scoring for the Broncos with 10.
"Western Texas played a great game," continued coach Davis. "They held us to 25 points in the second half. They caused us some problems on offense, which we'll need to address. But we feel good to be 4-4 at the turn, in a three-way tie for third place with Clarendon and Howard. We've just got to find a way to start climbing, here with eight [conference] games left."
Bior had the double-double for the Broncos, with 15 boards to goes along with his point tally. Trevelin Queen had 12 points for NMMI, while Davis Steelman and Rosel Hurley both finished with nine.
Next up for the Broncos (14-8, 4-4) will be a road trip to conference for Clarendon on Thursday Feb. 1 at 6:30 P.M. CST.
Next home match will be vs. New Mexico JC on Monday, Feb. 5 at 6:00 P.M. MST.
