T-Birds Ride Mackey's Career-High to Victory over CAC

The No. 20 T-Birds defeated Central Arizona College 110-41 to continue their unbeaten streak to begin the season.   

The game started as a low scoring affair with NMJC only leading 8-3 through the first six minutes of play. The T-Birds found a spark over the next 8:30 of play and went on a 24-8 run to grab a 21-point lead with 5:14 to go in the half. The Thunderbirds finished the first half with a 53-23 advantage while shooting 51.6% from the field. 

The T-Birds led by 35 points at 15:00 minute mark of the second half and subsequently went on a 20-0 run over the next 3:45 of play to grow the lead to an insurmountable 55 points, 84-29. The Thunderbirds cruised the rest of the half, winning 110-41. 

Redshirt freshman guard Michael Mackey recorded a career-high 22 points going 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Wing Isaiah Alexander finished with 11 points and six rebounds.

Guard Jayden Spearman went 5-for-7 from three-point land and finished with 17 points and six steals. Victor Ezeh and Seydou Tamboura both chipped in seven rebounds. 

Forward Marquan Harris registered a career-high 11 points and six rebounds, while point guard Jannoy Thomas ended the game with six assists.

The T-Birds shot 33-for-63 (52.4%) from the field, 15-for-32 (46.9%) from the 3-point line, and 29-of-36 (80.6%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds forced 26 turnovers and held the Cowboys to 26.5% from the field and 20.0% from three-point land.

No. 20 NMJC moves to 5-0 overall on the season and will face Lamar Community College in Hobbs, NM Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. MDT.