The New Mexico Military Institute Bronco basketball team dropped their final pre-conference match to ABC Prep, 78-75.

The visiting prep squad from Albuquerque lit it up from behind the arc - espeicially in the first half - earning an eight-point lead at halftime, thanks to eight three-pointers.

The Broncos defense slowed down the outside attack of the T-wolves in the second half - allowing just five treys - but solid free-throw shooting down the stretch by ABC Prep (8 of 10) prevented an NMMI comeback.

NMMI dominated the inside game with 50 rebounds (compared to 36 for the T-wolves) and all but eleven of their points coming from inside the paint; but from three-point territory, the Broncos struggled, going 3 for 26.

Three players posted double-figure point totals for the Institute, lead by sohpomore forward Justin Bramao's 16; freshman guard David Popa had 15; and red-shirt soph guard Joseph Thomas finished with 14.

Bramao was also the team's top rebounder with 9 boards - including 5 on offense - just missing the double-double. Thomas was the game's assist leader with five, while sophomore guard Jonah Lopez had the game-high tally in steals with four.

With the loss, the Broncs fall to 5-9 on the season. They'll begin play in the WJCAC conference with two games next week: at tenth-ranked Howard College on Monday, Jan. 6 with a 6:30 pm CST start time; then back home in the Cahoon Armory gym to take on South Plains Colege on Thursday, Jan. 9 with a 6:30 pm MST tipoff.