HUTCHINSON – New Mexico Junior College leads 40-36 over the Barton Cougars at halftime of Saturday's opening NJCAA Tournament game.

The second half was a nightmare start for the Cougars. New Mexico scored a second basket and the Cougars committed back-to-back turnovers on two fouls for a quick 45-36 lead.

New Mexico quickly built a 14-point lead at 59-45 behind a pair of 3-pointers and nine points by Australian Delang Muon.

New Mexico's R.J. Nance scored 11 points. Nine Roadrunners scored points. New Mexico converted 12 of 34 field goals (35%) and 4 of 19 on 3-pointers. 

The Roadrunners dominated a trio of key 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 also scored nine points off the bench with 4-of-4 shooting to maintain the lead.

Blake 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.

NJCAA

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Daytona State, Fla. 103, 16 Jones, Miss. 74

15 Barton Cougars (24-9) vs 18 New Mexico (26-6)

5:30 p.m.–13 Monroe, N.Y. (27-4) vs 20 Mineral Area, Mo. (21-11)

8 p.m.–14 Gulf Coast State, Fla. (25-7) vs 19 Brunswick (28-5)

SUNDAY'S GAMES

12 p.m.–Snow, Utah (28-4)'vs 24 Trinidad State, Colo. (17-16)

2:30 p.m.–10 Walters State, Tenn. (27-1) vs 23 South Georgia State (23-10)

5:30 p.m.–12 South Plains, Texas (24-7) vs 21 Northern Oklahoma Enid Jets (20-13)

8 p.m.–11 Northwest Florida (25-7) vs 22 Bishop State (17-15)

MONDAY'S GAMES

12 p.m.–1 Howard, Texas Hawks (29-4) vs 17 Daytona State (27-7)

2:30 p.m.–2 Southern Idaho (31-2) vs. Barton/New Mexico winner

5:30 p.m.–4 Trinity Valley, Texas  (28-5) vs 13 Monroe, N.Y. (27-4)/20 Mineral Area, Mo. (21-11) winner

8 p.m.–3 Indian Hills, Iowa  (30-2) vs 14 Gulf Coast State, Fla. (25-7) vs 19 Brunswick (28-5) winner 

TUESDAY'S GAMES

12 p.m.–8 Butler (24-9) vs. Snow, Utah (28-4)/24 Trinidad State, Colo. (17-16) winner

12 p.m.–5 Chipola, Fla. (26-7) vs 12 South Plains, Texas (24-7) vs 21 Northern Oklahoma Enid (20-13) winner 

2:30 p.m.–7 Midland, Texas (27-6) vs 10 Walters State, Tenn. (27-1) vs 23 South Georgia State (23-10) winner 

8 p.m.–6 Vincennes, Ind. (31-2) vs 11 Northwest Florida (25-7) vs 22 Bishop State (17-15) winner