No. 3 NMJC Downs No. 25 Garden City

The No. 3 T-Birds took down No. 25 Garden City Saturday afternoon 72-50.  

The first quarter featured five lead changes and five ties between the Thunderbirds and Broncbusters. NMJC broke the tie at the 2:31 mark with a layup by guard Cacia Antonio which gave NMJC a 19-17 lead. NMJC ended the first quarter with a two-point lead 21-19.

The Thunderbirds bested Garden City in the second quarter by a score of 16-7 to give the T-Birds a 37-26 advantage at half. Forward Pania Davis dominated the third quarter for the Thunderbirds scoring 12 of the teams 17 points in the quarter going 5-for-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from the line. Davis added seven rebounds and two blocks to give NMJC a 54-35 lead through three quarters. The Broncbusters were no threat in the fourth quarter and fell 72-50. 

Sophomore Cacia Antonio scored a season-high 26 points, which was three points shy of her career-high 29 points.

Sophomore Pania Davis finished with a season-high 25 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks, and five assists. The 25 points is three shy of her career high which she set against Garden City last year. The 17 rebounds were two shy of her career-high 19 rebounds that she snagged in a game against Odessa last season. Davis has four double-doubles so far this season.

Guard Nuria Estrade was in double figures with 10 points, while forward Emma Najjuma registered eight rebounds.

The T-Birds shot 29-of-55 (52.7%) from the field, 3-for-13 (23.1%) from 3-point land, and 11-of-14 (78.6%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds forced 15 turnovers and held the Broncbusters to 31.0% from the field and 37.5% from three-point land. 

The No. 3 Thunderbirds move to 6-0 on the season and will play Grayson College at 2 p.m. MST on Sunday, Nov. 17.