T-Bird (MBB) Defeats Tonkawa, Hits the Road Undefeated

NMJC men's basketball defeated Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa 85-61 Saturday afternoon.

The T-Birds led by as many as 20 points in the first half and went into the break ahead 48-30.

The second half was painfully slow with NMJC registering 15 fouls and the Mavs making 16-of-21 from the line. NMJC defense was stout given the fouls as they allowed only six shots from the field in the second period. NMJC went on to take down Tonkawa by 24 points.

Kemauri Millender scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed five rebounds. RJ Nance recorded 10 points reaching double figures for the fourth consecutive game.

Michael Mackey finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Garrison Phelps had a team-high 11 rebounds in the win. 

"With the size and athleticism we have it is very important that we defend," NMJC men's basketball head coach Luke Mackay said. "It allows us to play through guys because we are going to expend a lot of energy. It gets other guys on the floor and wears other teams down. I think that has shown so far this year in the second half when our guys are still fresh."

The T-Birds shot 30-for-65 (46.2%) from the field, 12-of-32 (37.5%) from the 3-point line, and 13-of-21 (61.9%) from the free throw line. NMJC forced 14 turnovers and held the Mavs to 23.5% from the field.

NMJC has won 26 of their last 27 home games inside the Caster Activity Center. 

The No. 23 T-Birds improve to 8-0 and will face Murray State College Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. CST in Plano, Texas at the Collin County Classic.