Thunderbird women fall to South Plains, 66-55

Article Written by: Jason Farmer NEWS-SUN

Photo Taken by: Tony Baker NMTXsports.com

The New Mexico Junior College women's basketball team was forced to forfeit its previous two wins. So, entering play Monday in Levelland, the Lady Thunderbirds were riding a two-game losing streak. That streak expanded to three games Monday as the Lady T-Birds lost 66-55 to South Plains College.

Not onlly did the Lady T-Birds trail most of the night, but the NMJC women were also outrebounded a three-to-one clip. South Plains had 46 rebounds to NMJC's 15.

New Mexico Junior College trailed by three, 18-15, at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Texans then outscored NMJC 18-11 in the second quarter to take a 10 point lead, 36-26, into halftime. The Lady T-Birds edged South Plains 7-16 in the third quarter, but were not able to cut into the Lady Texans lead by much. During the final 10 minutes of play, scoring was close, but it was South Plains coming out on top, edging the Lady T-Birds 14-12 for the 11-point win. Laurynn McGowen led NMJC with 14 points while Dezirae Hampton finished with 13 points. Ekaterina Zhibereva chipped in nin points while Alarie Mayze finished with eight.

With the loss, NMJC falls to 17-7 on the season and 6-4 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference play. The Lady T-Birds currently sit in third place in the WJCAC, on game ahead of Midland College. Western Texas sits in fifth, one loss back in the loss column and two wins behind. Next up for the Lady T-Birds is a home game against Clarendon College on Thursday at Caster Activity Center. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.