Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

As the holiday break came to an end, the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco basketball team returned to action Monday night.

Against Strength 'N Motion, the Broncos started off the new year with a 72-51 victory at the Godfrey Athletic Center.

The Broncos move to 8-6 as they begin a busy week filled with four games. NMMI hosts Strength 'N Motion at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday before getting back into conference play by taking on Clarendon College at home on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Chris Bready led the Broncos with 17 points, 10 of which came in the first half. Jordan Nelson and Reginald Ward each chipped in with 15 points.

"For having one and a half practices, one game and being off three weeks, I'm not disappointed with them at all," said NMMI head coach Sean Schooley. "I thought they played well. We're just real rusty.

"We've been stressing the defense. We've got to go on the fly here."

Strength 'N Motion began the game on a 4-0 run before NMMI got a three-pointer from Bready early in the opening half.

Another trey by Bready extended NMMI's lead to 8-4 nearly two minutes later.

Chidy Ugoala then helped Strength N' Motion regain a 9-7 lead after making a shot in the paint.

On an assist by Uros Stikovic, Ward was able to finish with a layup to put the Broncos back on top with a one-point lead.

A three-pointer by Ugoala flipped the tables and gave Strength N' Motion a 14-10 lead.

Bready landed a pair of free throws to help chisel the deficit down to two with 13:22 on the clock.

Nelson tallied a steal and dished an assist to Bready who finished with the layup to put NMMI ahead 15-14.

Bready extended NMMI's lead to four after knocking down a pair of free throws.

Gregory Prokopovich got a three-point play when he got fouled after making a layup. The play cut Strength 'N Motion's deficit to one with 10:31 left to go.

The Broncos went on a crucial 11-0 run that featured a three-point play by Stikovic and Luis Riascos Varon.

Nelson also nailed a clutch three-pointer and also penetrated through two defenders to finish a nice layup.

Ward hit a three-pointer later on down the stretch to make the score 34-22 with just under four minutes left in the half.

John Mapiou extended NMMI's lead to 13 points when he penetrated the lane to finish off a layup.

A three-pointer by Strength 'N Motion made the deficit 10 with one minute in the first half.

Bready led the way with 10 points at the break.

NMMI knocked down four shots from beyond the arc, two were by Ward. Ugoala led the opposition with 11 points.

The Broncos began the second half with a 6-0 run that gave them a 17-point lead.

NMMI's defense locked down the ballgame as Amiri Crowder and Bready both capitalized on a pair of steals that resulted in a pair of layups.

Using a 13-0 run, the Broncos led by 24 with 7:14 to go in the contest.

The Broncos made six 3-pointers while shooting 22-for-33 from the charity stripe. Bready finished 7 of 8 from the free throw line.

"It was a good start as a team. We're (going to) get better over time," Nelson said. "Our defense is our strong point. That's how we win games. It's just our offensive part we need to work on with our cohesiveness, but our defense is our bread and butter."

Ugoala led Strength 'N Motion with 16 points while Nasir Hammonds finished with 11.

Strength N' Motion made seven shots from beyond the arc while shooting 9 for 11 from the free throw line.

NMMI 72, Strength 'N Motion 51

Strength 'N Motion

Nasir Hammonds 4 1-2 11, Aubrey Johnson 2 0-0 6, Jadyn Chaney 1 0-0 2, Desmond Green 2 2-2 6, Don Escobar 2 0-0 5, Chidy Ugoala 5 4-6 16, Isaiah Street 1 0-1 2, Gregory Prokopovich 1 1-1 3. Totals 18 9-11 51.

NMMI (8-6)

Chris Bready 4 7-8 17, Jordan Nelson 5 3-4 15, Nadjrick Peat 0 2-5 2, Jay'veon Coleman 1 0-0 2, Amiri Crowder 2 2-2 6, Luis Riascos Varon 2 3-5 7, Reginald Ward 5 3-4 15, Uros Stikovic 2 1-3 5, John Mapiou 1 1-2 3. Totals 22 22-33 72.

SNM……….27……24 --- 51
NMMI…….37……35 --- 72

3-point goals – NMMI 6 (Bready 2, Nelson 2, Ward 2); Strength N' Motion 7 (Hammonds 2, Johnson 2, Ugoala 2, Escobar 1). Total fouls – NMMI 16, Strength N' Motion 27. Fouled out – Strength N' Motion (Escobar). Technical fouls – None.