T-Bird (WBB) Blows Past Wranglers in 3rd Quarter

NMJC women's basketball's 26-point spurt helped the No. 1 T-Birds to their seventh ranked win of the season in an 89-72 victory over No. 16 Odessa College. 

The first half featured seven lead changes and eight ties. NMJC shot 66.7% from the field in the first quarter and finished the frame tied 22-22. The Thunderbirds shot 50% from the floor in the second quarter but the Wranglers managed to match the offensive output to keep the score tied 41-41 at the break.

The offense exploded in the third quarter led by Cacia Antonio's eight points in the frame. NMJC outscored the Wranglers 26-10 in the third and held Odessa to 18.2% from the floor to take a decisive 67-51 advantage at the end of the quarter.

The Wranglers were unable to battle back in the fourth as NMJC went on to win by 17 points which pushed their conference lead over Odessa to three games.  

The largest lead of the game for NMJC was 20 with Odessa largest lead being only two points. The T-Bird starters all finished in double figures in the 17-point win.

Nuria Estrade shot 4-for-6 from 3-point land scoring 20 points. Amyah Sutton finished with 21 points and four rebounds.

Freshman Jada Graves registered 15 points and six assists. Cacia Antonio recorded 13 points and eight rebounds. Forward Pania Davis posted 10 points and eight rebounds.

The T-Birds shot 33-for-62 (53.2%) from the field, 9-of-17 (52.9%) from the 3-point line, and 14-of-20 (70%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds forced 14 turnovers and held the Wranglers to 37.9% from the field.

The T-Birds maintain first place in the WJCAC standings (9-1) by two games over South Plains and Odessa. NMJC's current win streak has now stretched to nine wins.

The No. 1 Thunderbirds move to 24-1 (9-1) and will take on Howard College 12-11 (4-5) Monday, Feb. 17 at 5:45 p.m. CST in Big Spring, Texas.