Graves has Big 1st Quarter, T-Birds Roll Pirates

NMJC women's basketball defeated a pesky Independence CC squad 73-60 on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Independence hung on throughout the game after trailing 27-16 in the first quarter. NMJC outscored the Pirates by only two points over the next three quarters to win by 13 points.  

Jada Graves scored 11 of her 15 points in the first quarter. The sophomore guard dished out three assists in the win, but she also turned the ball over seven times. 

Sharpshooter Kaycee Steinke was the only other T-Bird in double figures finishing with 12 points after going 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Freshman Luisa Amaral added six points, five assists, and three rebounds. Forward Addison Edwards ended the afternoon with eight points and three rebounds.

Freshman guard Indigo Bell scored seven points while sophomore forward Bright Eze added eight rebounds. Madison Wilson and Caitlin Wilson registered five rebounds each.

The T-Birds shot 27-for-58 (46.6%) from the field, 6-of-17 (35.3%) from the 3-point line, and 13-of-23 (56.5%) from the free throw line. NMJC forced 19 turnovers and held the Pirates to 34.5% from the field.

The Thunderbirds move to 5-1 on the year and will face Laramie County CC in Hobbs, NM Friday, Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. MST.