Kirtland Central Downs Farmington 62-48

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>FARMINGTON, N.M.</em> — In a fast-paced showdown between two of northwestern New Mexico's premier programs, the visiting Kirtland Central Broncos handed the previously undefeated Farmington Scorpions their first loss of the season, pulling away for a convincing 62-48 win in this non-conference clash on Friday, December 19, 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos, coached by Devon Manning, entered averaging a robust 64.9 points per game and 1-0 on the road. Meanwhile, the Scorpions, led by Thomas Adair, were perfect at home (6-0) coming in, but saw their high-scoring streak halted despite averaging 55.5 points per contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 4A vs. 5A matchup lived up to the hype, with balanced scoring on both sides — seven players from each team contributed at least four points, keeping the action intense and competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirtland Central seized control late in the first quarter with a 10-2 surge to lead 14-12. The momentum carried into the second, where a dominant 17-0 run from the 5:50 mark to 1:35 helped cap the frame on a 22-7 spree. At halftime, the Broncos held a commanding 38-24 advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington battled back in the third, trimming the deficit, but Kirtland Central entered the final period up 47-35 and maintained control down the stretch to seal the 14-point victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos excelled in ball movement, floor spacing, and penetrating the lane, creating numerous drive-and-kick opportunities. They knocked down eight three-pointers en route to the win, with three players reaching double digits. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1068199' first='Allyson' last='Tsosie'] led the charge with a game-high 15 points, impacting both ends of the floor with her energy and activity. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1058917' first='Zoey' last='Benally'] and senior Kaylyn Cadman each added 10 points, forming a dynamic two-player game that produced open looks inside and beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Scorpions, early transition attacks and fast-break buckets kept them in striking distance, as they repeatedly beat Kirtland Central's press for easy scores. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='648195' first='Kjani' last='Anitielu'] paced Farmington with a team-high 13 points — eight coming in a strong second-half push — showcasing her polished footwork, paint scoring, and ability to draw fouls. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='828810' first='Caris' last='Dale'] contributed 11 points, much of it in transition during the first half, including a three-pointer and several buckets before the Broncos' defense fully settled.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What's Next</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos (7-1) head to Tohatchi (6-3) on December 30 at 4:00 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Scorpions (8-1) face Americas (El Paso, TX) in tournament action on December 29 at 11:15 a.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->