In a hard-fought men's basketball matchup on Thursday night, Western Texas College faced off against the #18 ranked New Mexico Junior College, ultimately falling short with a final score of 74-70.

From the opening tip, the game unfolded as a physical defensive battle, with the referees allowing a robust style of play. Both teams embraced the intensity, creating a closely contested match throughout. However, as the game progressed, New Mexico managed to pull away in the closing stages, securing a narrow victory over Western Texas.

Leading the charge for the Westerners was Aaron Potter, who delivered an impressive performance with 23 points. Daniel Nixon closely followed with 19 points and contributed significantly on the boards with 8 rebounds. Additionally, recent Arizona State signee Jeremiah Nyarko made his mark with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

Despite the individual standout performances, the game's key disparities were evident in points in the paint and bench points. New Mexico dominated in the paint, outscoring Western Texas 46-32. Their ability to secure high-quality shots near the rim proved crucial, constituting nearly half of their total points.

The most significant gap, however, was in bench points, where New Mexico showcased depth by accumulating 21 points from substitutes. In contrast, Western Texas, playing only 7 players in the game, failed to register any bench points. This strategic difference in player rotations played a pivotal role in the outcome.

While the game concluded with a loss for Western Texas College, the silver lining lies in the fact that they faced a formidable opponent ranked #18 in the country. The team's competitive spirit and determination suggest the potential for significant victories in upcoming conference games. The Western Texas College team is poised to be a formidable force and make life tough for WJCAC opponents.