T-Birds Defeat the Cardinals at Home

The Thunderbird women's basketball team defeated the Mineral Area Cardinals 81-67 Sunday afternoon. 

The T-Birds were able to earn a bounce back win after suffering their first home loss in three seasons to Hill College 63-51.

The T-Birds struggled initially in the first half against the Cardinals as they fell behind by five points 23-18 after one quarter of play. The Thunderbirds turned it on in the second quarter by going on a 13-0 run in the first six minutes to make the lead eight 31-23.

Eva Fernandez led the charge for NMJC scoring 10 of her career-high 16 points during the 13-0 run. NMJC would head into the half leading by eight 36-28.

The Thunderbirds maintained an eight-point lead 40-32 with seven minutes to play in the third quarter. That proved to be the closest the Cardinals would get the rest of the afternoon. An Eva Fernandez layup with two seconds remaining in the quarter capped off a run where NMJC outscored Mineral Area 19-10 in the final seven minutes to extend the lead to 17 points 59-42.

NMJC led by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter, ultimately dispatching the Cardinals 81-67. 

The T-Birds would finish with four players in double figures in the 14-point win over the Cardinals.

Guard Delma Zita finished with a season-high 15 points and five rebounds in the win. Sophomore Madina Camara scored 14 points and added six assists. Forward Mariama Sow finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Thunderbirds shot a season-low 29.9% from the field in the previous game's loss to Hill College. The T-Birds were far more effective today against the Cardinals going 27-for-57 (47.4%) from the field. NMJC shot a season-high 44 free throws making a season-best 25 of them.

The Thunderbirds improve to 9-2 on the year. NMJC will play Yavapai College Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. MDT in Hobbs, NM.