On Monday night New Mexico Military Institute moved to 4-11 in conference play with a 88-66 loss to No. 15 New Mexico Junior College at the Cahoon Armory Gym. With the loss, the Broncos own a 12-17 overall record. With the win, NMJC improves to 24-5 overall with a 11-4 mark in conference play.
NMMI set the tone defensively on the first several possessions, forcing misses and controlling the glass early. That effort paid off at the 18:50 mark when Taye Williams scored the first basket of the game. Moments later, Williams added a free throw, and a David Popa finish off a Demari Larkins assist pushed the Broncos in front, 5–2, just over two minutes into play.
NMJC answered quickly behind perimeter shooting. A Delang Muon three tied the game, and RJ Nance followed with a pair of triples to swing momentum and give the Thunderbirds their first real cushion. Each time NMMI tried to respond, NMJC countered with timely shots or trips to the line.
The Broncos briefly slowed the run when Joel Pinto buried a three off a Rushawn Green assist to cut the deficit to 16–10. However, NMJC continued to capitalize on turnovers and offensive rebounds, extending the margin with baskets from Nance, Muon, and Ladji Coulibaly. A fast sequence late in the half—including a steal that led to an NMJC layup and a Muon three—pushed the lead to double digits and forced a NMMI timeout.
NMMI showed resilience down the stretch. Mickael Heritiana knocked down a three from the wing, and Williams added another deep ball with just over two minutes remaining to trim the deficit to 27–43. The Broncos also generated several defensive stops but struggled to convert on the other end against NMJC's defense.
In the final minute, a technical foul on NMJC allowed Popa to convert two free throws, closing the half on a positive note for NMMI. Still, the Thunderbirds' late surge proved decisive, as NMJC took a 43–30 advantage into the locker room.
NMMI opened the second period with a spark when David Popa picked off a pass from Delang Muon and converted on the other end to cut the deficit to 32–43. Rushawn Green followed by knocking down a pair of free throws, trimming the margin to nine and briefly shifting momentum. The Broncos continued to compete defensively, forcing turnovers from Kenny Fields and RJ Nance, while Taye Williams and Popa helped control the glass during the opening stretch.
NMJC answered at the free-throw line and with timely perimeter shooting. Xavier Perry's three-pointer at the 17-minute mark pushed the lead back to double digits, and Delang Muon added a transition basket moments later. Carlos Mata kept NMMI within striking distance by converting two free throws and later finishing a layup off a Mickael Heritiana assist.
Midway through the half, Joel Pinto provided a lift, drilling a three and then scoring twice inside during an extended possession sequence. Kelvin John followed with a strong finish in the paint as NMMI continued to battle on both ends. Despite the effort, Michael Mackey and Pete Newman each delivered key baskets, while Grigorije Avramovic scored twice during a late run that stretched the lead to 15.
The Broncos continued to fight through the final minutes. Popa scored on multiple late possessions, including a finish off a Demari Larkins assist, and Rushawn Green capped the night with a basket in the final 40 seconds. Although NMMI forced several late turnovers and contested nearly every shot, NMJC's steady scoring and trips to the free-throw line allowed the Thunderbirds to close out the 88–68 win.
Head Coach Sean Schooley on the loss, "disappointed in our decision making tonight, we just didn't make the right decisions. We played hard and sometimes that's enough to win you games, so I'm pleased with our effort. I thought our guys competed on every play and we battled for the full 40 minutes," Schooley said. "In your home gym you can't miss 11 free throws with 23 turnovers and expect to win the game … that's what hurt us tonight," Schooley said.
The Broncos conclude the season on Saturday, March 7 when they host Odessa College in the Cahoon Armory Gym at 2 p.m.