T-Birds fall to Howard College, home streak snapped

HOBBS, N.M. — The New Mexico Junior College men's basketball team had a chance to win its third game of the season at the buzzer as the Thunderbirds trailed Howard College 62-60 with 5.3 seconds left.

Cullen Russo, who had already drained three 3-pointers in the game for NMJC, got an open look at the top of the key, but the ball just rimmed out and the T-Birds fell 62-60 Tuesday to snap their 18-game home winning streak.

The T-Birds trailed for much of the game (by as much as 13 points early in the second half) but battled their way back to eventually take a 53-51 lead when Russo drained a 3-pointer with 5:46 left in the game.

It would be the last lead NMJC (21-8, 10-5) would hold as a pair of Howard (21-7, 12-3) free throws by Rob Gray, a steal and a bucket by Henry Wilson made it 55-53 with 5:22 remaining.

NMJC tied the game a last time when on an inbound play Russo was lobbed the ball and he scored to make it 60-60 with 29.7 seconds left.

On Howard's next possession, Gray dribbled the clock down and hit a mid-range jumper with 5.3 seconds left to give the Hawks a 62-60 advantage.

NMJC had its last chance and executed the play well, but the buzzer beater didn't fall as the T-Birds now sit in third place – two games behind Howard and South Plains with only a game left. NMJC is a game up on New Mexico Military Institute and can secure the No. 3 seed with a win or a NMMI loss at Frank Phillips.

Russo led NMJC with 13 points Tuesday while Ray Barreno and Rene Esparza each had eight.

Gray paced Howard with 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.

NMJC wraps up the regular season Thursday on the road at Clarendon.