T-Birds Suffer First Conference Loss to Texans

No. 11 New Mexico Junior College fell to South Plains College Thursday night 63-57.

The Thunderbirds led by only one point, 33-32, at the half. The T-Birds got the best of the Texans for most of the third quarter as they led by 10 points, 48-38, with two minutes to play. South Plains closed the quarter on an 8-0 run to cut the lead down to two headed into the fourth quarter.

The T-Birds were outscored 17-8 by the Texans in the fourth quarter. NMJC couldn't get the shots to fall in the fourth as they went 3-for-13 from the field and 0-5 from three-point territory. The 63-57 loss snapped the Thunderbirds six-game winning streak.  

Delma Zita finished with a team-high 15 points, four rebounds, and three steals. Forward Danna Grenald chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Forward Bianca Juzzo scored 10 points and added five rebounds. Forward Sandra Magolico was strong on both sides of the ball with 10 points and four steals. 

The T-Birds ended the night with four scorers in double figures.   

Guard Madina Camara was a force on the defensive side for the Thunderbirds recording four steals and five rebounds. 

The T-Birds shot 23-of-60 (38.3%) from the field, 2-for-10 (20%) from the three-point line, and forced 22 turnovers in the loss to South Plains.

The Thunderbirds drop to 14-3 on the year and 3-1 in conference. NMJC will play Howard College Thursday, Jan. 26 at 5:45 p.m. MDT in Hobbs, NM.