Thunderbird (WBB) Regular Season Culminates with Back-to-Back WJCAC Championships, Sutton Sets Career High

The Thunderbirds won the WJCAC championship for the second consecutive year and 10th time in program history following an 80-61 win against Clarendon College on Thursday night.

Sophomore Amyah Sutton had a Sophomore Night to remember. The Oklahoma City, Okla., native had a monster performance going 5-of-6 from beyond the arc to finish with a career-high 29 points and six rebounds.

Clarendon College was leading after the first quarter 19-16. Sutton scored 10 of the team's 23 points in the second quarter to give NMJC a 39-34 advantage at the break. 

The Bulldogs only made three field goals in the third quarter as NMJC expanded the lead to 12 points, 60-48, after three quarters. NMJC outscored Clarendon by seven points for the second straight quarter on their way to defeating the Bulldogs by a score of 80-61.

Cacia Antonio recorded her fourth double-double of the year scoring 19 points while securing 12 boards and four assists. Forward Pania Davis tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds to register her 10th double-double of the season.

Jada Graves posted seven points, five assists, and five steals in the 19-point win. Emma Najjuma finished the night with nine rebounds. 

The T-Birds shot 26-for-69 (37.7%) from the field, 9-of-20 (45%) from the 3-point line, and 19-of-22 (86.4%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds forced 17 turnovers and held the Bulldogs to 37.5% from the field. 

The No. 1 seed Thunderbirds face the No. 4 seed Weatherford College 20-10 (10-6) from the north in the first round of the Region V Tournament in Waco, Texas at McLennan CC Thursday, March 13 at 1 p.m. CDT.