New Mexico Military Institute concluded the first round of conference games on Monday night with a 64-51 loss against Western Texas College in Snyder, TX. With back-to-back setbacks, the Broncos dip to 1-7 in conference play with a 6-15 overall mark. Picking up their third conference win, Western Texas moves to 3-5 in conference games with a 12-10 overall record.

H1

In the first minutes of the game, NMMI was able to quickly respond to any points scored by Western Texas. Scoring the first bucket of the game, Justin Bramao found the bottom of the net to put the visiting team ahead. A couple possessions later with a tied 6-6 game, Bramao knocked down a deep three to put NMMI ahead 9-6 with 16:42 left in the half.

In the next seven minutes, Western Texas conducted a 7-0 run, which put them ahead 13-9 following a three by Djylan Ferrin. Down 17-11, NMMI responded with a trio of threes, as Joseph Thomas drained two of them to give the Broncos a 20-17 advantage with just over six minutes remaining in the half.

Find some momentum in the final minutes of the period, the Wrangles closed out the half on a commanding 13-6 run to head into halftime with a 30-26 lead.

H2

Down by four, NMMI's offense struggled to open the second half. After being held scoreless in the opening minutes of the half, David Popa knocked down his lone three of the night to stop the scoring drought as the Broncos trailed 36-29.

For the next five minutes, neither team was able to establish offensive rhythm as the Broncos stayed within five points until near the 10-minute mark. Up 44-35, Western Texas was able to fend off the Broncos with a 20-16 run in the final 10 minutes of action as the Broncos dropped the contest 66-49.

David Popa led all Broncos with 13 points, shooting 5-for-10 from the field. In just 20 minutes of action, Ignacio Garcia led all players with 6 rebounds. Bramao and Thomas each tallied nine points, shooting a combined 4-for-6 from the arc. As a team, NMMI shot 38 percent from the field while forcing nine turnovers on the defensive end.

NMMI will return to the court on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. MST, as they host Howard College in the Cahoon Armory Gym.