No. 9 Tbirds fall to Eastern Arizona

Hobbs, NEW MEXICO (October 31, 2015) –

A day after flexing their muscle against the No. 14 team in the country, the NMJC Thunderbirds came out flat and uninspired against an Eastern Arizona team that was more than willing to take the Halloween treats from the Thunderbirds as they were dealt a 77-70 defeat.

Nycolle Smith was dominate as she poured in a game high 28 points while also grabbing a game high 15 rebounds. The Thunderbirds dominated the paint as well out rebounding the Monsters by twelve (36-22) and outscoring them 30-20.  Unfortunately, for the Thunderbirds, their dominance in the paint and on the glass wasn't enough. Camille Mills came in off the bench and for the second consecutive night provided a spark scoring 12 points.

The Thunderbirds battled foul trouble throughout, eventually seeing four players foul out.  The Monsters capitalized sinking 31 of 46 free-throws for the game. Eastern Arizona led late in the third quarter by as many as fifteen, a hole the Thunderbirds were unable to dig themselves out of.

Next up for the Thunderbirds is Texas Storm, who fell earlier in the day to Central Arizona 92-74. Game time for that contest has been moved up to 3:00 P.M. at Caster Activity Center.