MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Hunter's late free throws seal OC victory
ROSWELL, N.M. Matthew Hunter scored 24 points and made three of his last four free throws with less than 10 seconds left to lead the Odessa College men’s basketball team to a 88-84 victory Thursday against New Mexico Military Institute.
The Wranglers (19-3 overall, 4-2 Western Junior College Athletic Conference), who remained in no worse than a tie for second place, held off a last-minute surge from the Broncos.
Jaamon Echols, Derrick Barden and Kewyn Blain chipped in 18, 15 and 10 points, respectively, for Odessa College. The Wranglers shot 48 percent (28-of-58) from the field, including a scorching 8-of-12 from the 3-point line.
NMMI (8-12, 1-5) was led by a quartet of double-digit scorers: Desmond Barnes (29 points), Royce Williams (19), Jeff Fields (14) and Tyler Gaskins (10).
The Wranglers return to the OC Sports Center Monday for a rivalry game against Midland College. Tipoff is slated for 7:45 p.m.
>> Odessa College 88, New Mexico Military Institute 84
ODESSA COLLEGE
(19-3 overall, 4-2 Western Junior College Athletic Conference)
Damal Donaldson 3-5 2-4 8, Jaamon Echols 6-11 5-6 19, Derrick Barden 5-10 3-8 15, Deonnte Breedlove 3-6 0-0 7, Matthew Hunter 6-14 10-14 24, Jalondre McClanahan 1-4 1-2 3, Kewyn Blain 3-3 3-5 10, Brandon Williams 1-5 0-2 2, Javontay Baynes 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-58 24-41 88.
NMMI (8-12, 1-5)
A.J. Peralta 1-2 6-6 8, D’Marnier Cunningham 0-7 0-0 0, Desmond Barnes 9-14 6-7 29, Jeff Fields 3-10 8-15 14, Royce Williams 7-12 1-1 19, Juwan Newman 1-3 2-5 4, Joshua Gener 0-2 0-0 0, Kyheim Hall 0-0 0-0 0, Tyler Gaskins 4-10 0-0 10. Totals 25-60 23-34 84.
3-Point goals — Odessa College 8-12 (Echols 2-4, Barden 2-2, Breedlove 1-1, Hunter 2-4, Blain 1-1), NMMI 11-25 (Cunningham 0-3, Barnes 5-9, Fields 0-1, Williams 4-7, Gaskins 2-5). Total fouls — Odessa College 23, NMMI 24. Fouled out — Odessa College: Donaldson. NMMI: Cunningham, Fields. Technical fouls — Odessa College: Bench. Rebounds — Odessa College 44 (Hunter 9), NMMI 32 (Peralta 8). Assists — Odessa College 8 (Hunter 5), NMMI 12 (Williams 4).
