T-Bird (WBB) Blasts Midland by 19

NMJC women's basketball blasted Midland College 65-46 Monday night earning their 19th victory of the season. 

The T-Birds held a narrow lead 11-10 with 3:21 left in the first quarter. NMJC outscored the Chaps 9-2 over the next three minutes to take an eight-point lead 20-12. 

Midland was able to close the gap in the second quarter cutting the deficit to four points, 29-25. Nuria Estrade helped the T-Birds to a 9-2 run with a deep jumper and a triple to end the third quarter. NMJC took a 44-30 advantage into the final quarter. 

The Chaps were held at bay in fourth as the Thunderbirds extended their lead from 14 to 19 points on their way to a 65-46 win. 

Amyah Sutton ended the evening 4-for-6 from the 3-point line finishing with a game-high 21 points and five rebounds. Sutton is No. 2 in the country for 3-point shooting at 53.7%. The Oklahoma City, Okla. native is .01% behind Clarendon College's Ana Vieira in 3-point percentage. 

Sophomore guard Cacia Antonio recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the year. 

Emma Najjuma came off the bench scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Nuria Estrade posted 10 points and Pania Davis registered 11 rebounds. 

The T-Birds shot 20-for-70 (28.6%) from the field, 8-of-24 (33.3%) from the 3-point line, and 17-of-24 (70.8%) from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds held the Chaparrals to 27.6% from the field and 26.3% from the three-point land. 

The Thunderbirds are No. 2 in the WJCAC standings at 4-1 behind first place Clarendon College who sits at 4-0.

The No. 4 Thunderbirds improve to 19-1 (4-1) and will compete against Frank Phillips College 9-8 (0-3) in Hobbs, NM on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 5:45 p.m. MST.