NMJC (MBB) Drops Road Game to No. 5 Howard

The No. 15 Thunderbirds fell short 73-55 to No. 5 Howard College in Big Spring, Texas on Monday, Jan. 12.  

NMJC got off to a strong start in the first 10 minutes of play as they outpaced the Hawks 15-8. Howard went on a quick 8-0 run to tie the score up at 15 apiece with 8:25 left in the half. 

A Delang Muon dunk kept the T-Birds within a point, 25-24, with just under 4:00 to go. The Hawks ended the first half with a 32-27 lead. 

Ladji Coulibaly's second-half dunk at the 17:14 mark brought the T-Birds within two points, 35-33. Unfortunately, that would prove to be the closest NMJC would be the rest of the game. 

A 12-0 run by the Hawks extended the lead into double digits, 47-33, at the 13:23 mark. Howard pulled away the rest of the second half and led by as many as 19 points. The Hawks went on to defeat NMJC 73-55.

Forward Delang Muon ended the night with eight points, five rebounds and a career-high four blocks. Sophomore guard RJ Nance was in double figures posting 10 points and seven assists. Ladji Coulibaly was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in limited action due to foul trouble. The freshman big man scored 10 points while pulling in six rebounds. 

The T-Birds shot 21-for-55 (38.2%) from the field, 7-of-33 (21.2%) from the 3-point line, and 6-of-13 (46.2%) from the free throw line. NMJC forced 22 turnovers, but the Hawks shot 44.4% from the field.

NMJC suffered their first loss in WJCAC play and snapped a 5-game winning streak. 

The No. 15 Thunderbirds dropped to 14-2 (1-1) on the year and will face Clarendon College in Hobbs, NM Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. MST.