T-Bird (MBB) Overcomes 11-point Deficit to Defeat Otero

The T-Bird men's basketball team won their season opener 81-66 against host Otero College in La Junta, CO on Friday, Nov. 1. 

The Thunderbirds struggled to start the game falling behind 19-8 with 12:51 to go in the first half. The T-Birds went on an 11-0 run over the next 3:28 to tie the score up at 19-19. NMJC finished the first half with a five-point advantage, 35-30. 

The Rattlers came out hot in the second half going on an 8-0 run to take a 38-35 lead. NMJC took a one-point advantage, 49-48, at the 11:05 mark. The T-Birds erupted for a 12-1 run capped off by a transition three that put the score at 61-49 with 8:54 to go. The Rattlers were unable to recover from the onslaught as NMJC cruised to a 15-point win on Friday night.

Sophomore guard Deuce Benjamin went 3-of-5 from the 3-point line finishing with a team-high 16 points and four rebounds. Isaiah Alexander recorded 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in the season opener.

Sophomore transfer guard Jannoy Thomas was 6-of-7 from the field scoring 12 points while snatching four steals. Guard Amhad Jarred tallied 10 points and four rebounds. Jayden Spearman registered five rebounds, while forward Francois Nkoy-Eale finished with four rebounds and 11 points.

The T-Birds shot 28-of-56 (50.0%) from the field, 6-for-17 (35.3%) from the 3-point line, and 19-of-26 (73.1%) from the charity stripe. The Thunderbirds forced 18 turnovers and held the Rattlers to 32.3% from the field and 26.7% from three-point land. 

NMJC improves to 1-0 overall and will play Trinidad State in La Junta, CO Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. MDT.