BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

HUTCHINSON – The talented and physical New Mexico Thunderbirds spoiled the Barton Cougars' third consecutive NJCAA basketball appearance with a 103-90 victory Saturday.

Barton's Noah Williams scored a team high 23 points and provided an offensive spark. Blake Rucker did the same with 15 points and four of five 3-pointers. 

Williams played one of his best games of the season on the NJCAA national stage.

"As a player, you dream about times like this your whole life," Williams said. "You never know when you'll play your last game. There were things I could've done better because your goal is to get a win."

Sebastian Muchitsch (15 points) converted six-of-nine shots. Sullivan, Jr. provided a spark with 14 points and a team-high six assists. Aris Rodriguez (12 points) ended as the program's 10th all-time leading scorer with 1,077 points. Jon Byrd dished out five assists.

Barton ends with a 24-10 record. New Mexico (27-7) advanced to Monday's 2:30 p.m. game versus No. 2 seeded College of Southern Idaho.

The Cougars had a tough time matching up with New Mexico's rugged frontline trio of Australian 6-9 Delang Muon, Mali's 6-10 Ladji Coulibaly (with five slam dunks) and 6-10 Nkoy Eale from Cork, Ireland. 

New Mexico's trio combined for 41 points, dominated the  offensive boards with 22 second-chance points and defended the paint effectively. 

"We've seen that size and athleticism. We've played teams like that," Williams said. "There were lots of lapses on our end. When you're getting kicked around, you've got to keep a bold face. We needed to stay together better."

The other key was the Thunderbirds converted 7 of 15 shots from 3-point range after halftime. R.J. Nance scored 23 points with four of seven 3-pointers.

The Thunderbirds' size and strength produced a pair of Cougar fouls when New Mexico was shooting free throws, one time after a successful free throw.

The Cougars yielded 63 second-half points. The Thunderbirds converted 22 of 38 field goals (58%) and 7 of 15 from long range (47%) after halftime. New Mexico quickly built a 14-point lead at 59-45 behind a pair of 3-pointers and nine points by Muon.

New Mexico's R.J. Nance scored 11 first-half and 12 second-half points. Nine Thunderbirds scored points. 

Barton grabbed its largest lead at 29-27 following two Noah Williams free throws. New Mexico answered with a 10-2 stretch to regain control. Brian Sullivan's layup sliced the lead to 40-36 at the break.

The Thunderbirds dominated key first-half statistics, outscoring the Cougars 8-0 on transition points, 11-5 on second chance points and 12-6 on free throws to gain 20-point advantage in those categories. The Roadrunners bench delivered 4-of-4 shooting and nine points.

Rucker converted four 3-pointers to keep the Cougars close. Noah Williams added eight points. The Cougars shot 12 of 34 (35%) and made 6 of 14 on 3-pointers.

New Mexico's control of the glass and second-chance opportunities became a defining factor following the intermission.

The Thunderbirds opening the second half on a 19-7 run to push the margin to 59-43. New Mexico built the advantage behind its presence on the glass, extending the lead to as many as 21.

Barton continued to battle, slicing the lead to 63-58 on Noah Williams' slam dunk off Brian Sullivan's assist. Sullivan's basket kept it 66-60.  

Rucker fed Rodriguez for a nifty basket for a 77-71 score. But Nance delivered his final decisive 3-pointer for an 80-71 lead. New Mexico's timely 3-point shooting and interior scores iced the victory.

The Cougars earned at least 24 victories for the fourth straight season, highlighted by a 10-game winning streak. Barton earned a share of the Jayhawk Conference title for the second time in three years. 

Barton earned an at-large NJCAA berth, marking the program's seventh all-time appearance and third consecutive, posting a 5-2 record during that 3-year stretch.

GAME NOTES
Barton finished 23-of-31 free throws (74.2%)

It marked the first time in 14 games (Jan. 26) the Cougars were outshot at the line (NMJC: 24-of-34, 70.6%)

Barton was outrebounded for the second straight game (NMJC 46, Barton 35), both resulting in losses

The Cougars were held to 10 or fewer offensive rebounds for the first time in seven games

Barton's nine made 3-pointers were its fourth-most in a game this seasonNew Mexico's 11 three-pointers marked the third straight game Barton allowed double-digit makes

Second straight game Barton surrendered 100 or more points, the fifth time this season

Fourth consecutive game Barton allowed 55 or more second-half points

New Mexico 40 63 – 103

Barton 36 54 – 90

NEW MEXICO –Nance 7-10 (4-7) 5-6 23; Muon 6-16 (2-0) 4-7 18; Coulibaly 5-8 5-6 15; Mackey 38 (2-7) 2-3 10; Millendbalyer 1-4 (0-2) 0-0 2; Avramovic 2-6 (1-3) 2-4 7; Phelps 2-5 (0-1) 4-5 8; Fields 0-4 (0-2) 2-3 2; Nkoy-Eale 4-6 0-0 8; Perry 3-4 (1-2) 0-0 7; Harris (1-1) 0-0 3; Totals 34-72 (11-34) 24-34 103

BARTON (24-10)–Noah Williams 6-14 (2-5) 9-10 23; Muchitsch 6-9 3-4 15; Rucker 5-8 (4-5) 1-2 15; Sullivan, Jr. 5-11 (1-5) 3-3 14; Rodriguez 5-12 (1-5) 1-4 12; Mikey Williams 1-5 (0-1) 3-4 5; Inanov (1-2) 3-4 5; Byrd 0-0 0-0 0; Chuol 0-2 0-0 0; Ramirez 0-3 (0-1) 0-0 0; Totals 29-66 (9-24) 23-31 90  

Rebounds–NM 46 (Coulibaly 9); BC 35 (Muchitsch 6). Assists–NM 20 (Avramovic 8); BC 15 (Sullivan 6). Steals–NM 7 (Fields 2); BC 7 (seven with 1). TO–NM 10, BC 9

NJCAA

SATURDAY–Daytona State, Fla. 103, Jones, Miss. 74; New Mexico 103, Barton Cougars 90; Monroe, N.Y. 77, Mineral Area, Mo. 71; Gulf Coast State, Fla. 82, Brunswick 76

SUNDAY–Snow, Utah 128, Trinidad State, Colo. 86; Walters State, Tenn. 93, South Georgia State 84; Northern Oklahoma Enid Jets 81, South Plains, Texas 78 (OT); Northwest Florida 77, Bishop State 71

MONDAY–Howard, Texas 96, Daytona State 75; Southern Idaho 73, New Mexico 66; Trinity Valley, Texas def. Monroe, N.Y; Gulf Coast State, Fla. 72, Indian Hills, Iowa 70

TUESDAY–Butler 101, Snow, Utah 96; Walters State, Tenn. 95 Midland, Texas 82; Northern Oklahoma Enid 64, Chipola, Fla. 50; Northwest Florida 76, Vincennes, Ind. 62

WEDNESDAY

Howard, Texas 134, Butler 128 (2 OT)

5:30 p.m.–4 Trinity Valley, Texas  (29-5) vs 21 Northern Oklahoma Enid (22-13)

2:30 p.m.–2 Southern Idaho (32-2) vs. 10 Walters State, Tenn. (32-1)

8 p.m–14 Gulf Coast State, Fla. (27-7) vs 11 Northwest Florida (27-7)

FRIDAY

1 Howard, Texas vs. 4 Trinity Valley, Texas  (30-5)/21 Northern Oklahoma Enid (23-13) winner

2 Southern Idaho (33-2)/10 Walters State, Tenn. (33-1) winner vs. 14 Gulf Coast State, Fla. (28-7)/11 Northwest Florida (28-7) winner