NMJC WBB Sneaks Past Frank on Sophomore Night

NMJC women's basketball defeated Frank Phillips College 61-53 on sophomore night Monday, Feb. 26. 

The Plainsmen came to play from the jump despite their 3-7 conference record. The first quarter was slow on offense with only 10 points being scored by each team. 

Frank Phillips's Sa'nya Green knocked down a jumper to give the Plainsmen a one-point lead, 16-15, with 8:07 to go in the second quarter. 

The Thunderbirds rattled off a 12-0 run to grab a commanding 11-point lead, 27-16, with 2:46 to go in the half. Frank closed on a 5-0 run of their own to cut the lead to six points, 27-21.   

The Plainsmen gave the T-Birds fits in the third quarter. NMJC led by as many as nine points in the third, but Frank Phillips wouldn't go away. A 3-pointer by the Plainsmen with 3:16 remaining gave them their first lead of the second half, 38-36. Filipa Calisto snatched the lead back for NMJC, 39-38, as time expired in the third quarter.

Frank Phillips took a six-point lead, 48-42, on a 3-pointer with 7:06 remaining in the game. Two free throws from Sutton tied up the game at 51 all with under five minutes to go. The T-Birds closed the final five minutes on a 12-2 run aided by five free throws, a layup, a jumper, and a three pointer to win by eight, 61-53.

Pania Davis was the leading scorer Monday night. The freshman forward registered 13 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks. Davis has tied the school record of 85 blocks in a single season. Anotoina Robinson currently holds the NMJC record set in the 2014-15 season. 

The T-Birds had three players finish with 11 points on the night.  

Amyah Sutton was one rebound shy of a double-double after recording 11 points and nine rebounds. Cacia Antonio notched 11 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Nuria Estrade came off the bench to score 11 points. 

The final home game of the season was a bitter-sweet moment for three sophomores. Filipa Calisto, Aaliyah Holmes, and Clara Bandh were all honored prior to the matchup against Clarendon for their contributions on the court and in the classroom.  

The Thunderbirds shot 21-for-61 (34.4%) from the field, 7-of-24 (29.2%) from 3-point territory and 12-of-15 (80%) from the charity stripe. NMJC held the Plainsmen to 30.2% from the field.

No. 9 NMJC improves to 23-5 (12-1) on the year and will face San Antonio College in San Antonio, Texas Thursday, March 1 at 5 p.m. CST. 

The T-Birds (12-1) are one game ahead of Odessa College (11-1) in the WJCAC standings.