On Saturday afternoon New Mexico Military Institute opened the 2025-26 season with a 88-44 win over Central Arizona College. The Broncos open the season 1-0 for the first time since 2023 while Central Arizona College opens the year 0-1.
H1
The visitors made two quick threes to take a 8-2 lead early on in the first half. However, NMMI conducted their own 7-0 run to take a 9-8 lead after Joel Pinto made two easy buckets in the paint. The Vaqueros retook the lead with a three-pointer made by Shawn Spencer to make it a 13-11 ball game.
With the help of three pointers by Mickael Heritiana and Carlos Mata the Broncos enjoyed a 20-17 advantage with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half. In the next few minutes, NMMI conducted a 12-3 run as they blasted out to a 32-20 lead.
In the first half, Joel Pinto tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds as NMMI led 38-32 at the half.
H2
In the second half, Joel Pinto gave NMMI a double-digit lead as he dunked all over a Central Arizona defender and converted the three-point play opportunity as he nailed his free throw to give the Broncos a 50-40 lead.
However, the lead wouldn't last long as the Vaqueros cut the lead to just five points with the Broncos leading 51-46. Taye Williams put NMMI back up by double digits 58-48, as he executed the fast break perfectly that ended in a slam as Williams rattled the backboard.
With just under eight minutes left in the game, the Broncos took their largest lead of the half 66-53 with the help of another field goal by Taye Williams. Central Arizona battled for every point as they cut the deficit to just two points, 84-82, with under a minute remaining.
However, the Broncos would finish 4-for-4 on their final free throws to secure the first win of the season 88-84.
Head Coach Sean Schooley on the win, "I like these results this time around much better than last year for sure but we have a quick turnaround and play them again on Tuesday so they're going to be waiting for us," Schooley said. "Extremely proud of the guys, any time they went ahead our guys battled back and regained the lead … first time out, the guys showed a little bit of nerves we came out flat," Schooley said. "Amazing performance by Joel in his first collegiate game, he set the bar high for himself going 12-12 from the free throw line, with 17 boards and 24 points," Schooley said.
UP NEXT
The Broncos will be on the road in Arizona when they rematch Central Arizona College on Tuesday, November 4 at 3:30 p.m. before taking on Yavapai College in Prescott, AZ on Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m.