Anthony’s Big Night Guides T-Birds to Victory

The Thunderbirds handled Frank Phillips College 78-59 on the road in Borger, Texas Thursday evening.

The T-Birds set the tone right away with an 8-0 start to the game. The big first quarter gave NMJC a commanding 13-point lead, 26-13. NMJC was outscored in the second quarter 22-17, which cut the lead to eight, 43-35 at the half.

The Thunderbirds started strong following intermission. The T-Birds were able to score the first six points of the second half. Freshman guard Wisdom Anthony finished the 6-0 run with a steal and an acrobatic layup at the 7:10 mark to make the score 49-35 in favor of NMJC. The Thunderbirds shelled the Plainsmen 22-9 in the third quarter to extend their lead to 21 points, 65-44. 

The T-Birds led by as many as 25 points in the fourth with the final score a 19-point win, 78-59.

Freshman guard Cacia Antonio was the leading scorer for NMJC with 15 points and eight rebounds. Wisdom Anthony had herself a day scoring 14 points, dishing out 11 assists, and snatching five steals. Freshman forward Pania Davis registered 12 points and nine rebounds.

Sophomore guard Filipa Calisto finished with 14 points. Freshman guard Nuria Estrade scored nine points off the bench.

The Thunderbirds shot 31-for-70 (44.3%) from the field, 4-of-20 (20%) from beyond the arc, and 10-of-15 (66.7%) from the free throw line. NMJC held the Plainsmen to 37% from the field.

No. 6 NMJC improves to 17-4 (6-0) on the year and will face Clarendon College in Hobbs, NM Monday, Feb. 5 at 5:45 p.m. MST in Hobbs.