Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
On Monday night, the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos became the first men's collegiate basketball team to play a game in the state of New Mexico during the coronavirus pandemic.
NMMI (3-6, 2-4) returned to the Godfrey Athletic Center for its first competition since Feb. 27, 2020.
The Broncos did not disappoint during their Western Junior College Athletic Conference matchup against the Clarendon Bulldogs.
Playing with lots of energy until the very end, NMMI was able to finish strong as it survived a thriller with a 100-97 victory.
NMMI had four players finish in double-digit scoring figures as Khaleb Wilson-Rouse led the way with 34 points.
"We learned how to finish and it wasn't a pretty game by any means," said NMMI head coach Sean Schooley. "We didn't quit on plays, they can just score.
"We made them work for it, but we need to keep trying to figure out how to not turn it over, and that's the sign of a young team."
The Broncos trailed 14-9 early in the first half until John Mapiou made a shot in the paint plus a free throw to tie the game at 14-14 with 12:23 remaining.
Tarren Burrola then put the Broncos ahead with a three-pointer.
Clarendon (7-6, 3-4) regained the lead by four with 9:21 until halftime.
Assisted twice by Jordan Nelson, Wilson-Rouse gave NMMI a 35-31 lead after scoring five quick points.
The Bronco lead extended to six with 4:49 left.
Clarendon chiseled down at the deficit to three until Nicolas Girondin made a three-pointer.
Holding on to a four-point lead entering the second half, the game turned into an all-out physical battle.
Furaha Cadeaux de Dieu nailed a clutch trey with 9:06 on the clock to extend NMMI's lead to seven. The lead was as much as nine before the Bulldogs cut it down to two during the final minute of play.
Clarendon had two chances to tie the game up in the waning seconds of the game but the Broncos didn't crumble.
Cadeaux de Dieu had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds while Jeremiah Barr added with 17 points.
Nelson added with 12 points and six assists.
NMMI was narrowly out rebounded 38-37 while it shot 32 of 47 from the charity stripe.
Clarendon also had four players in double-digit figures as B.J. Simmons had 27 points, Ra'Sean Frederick with 16, Jakobe Dill scored 12 and Zarique Nutter added 10.
This was the first time that NMMI had scored 100 points or more in a victory since Dec. 5, 2017.
"It's a big accomplishment. This is our court. Being on an opponent's court isn't easy," Wilson-Rouse said after the win. "It's coming together great. It's good to see that we're actually being the family that we're supposed to be."
The Broncos will host South Plains College next Monday.
NMMI is excited to finally be back.
It's so nice. Kids have worked really hard and we had five conference road games," Schooley said. "We were in all those games except one. That says a lot about their character.
"What we want to do is keep learning and keep teaching so that we can finish as high as we can. It gives hope as we continue to improve."