NMJC (WBB) Scores Highest Point Total of Season

NMJC defeated Otero College 108-58 on Saturday, Nov. 22.

The Thunderbirds have shown to be a second quarter team so far this season where they have outscored their opponents in the frame in six of their seven games.

It was no different on Saturday when NMJC doubled the Rattlers 16 point output with a 32-point performance in the second quarter to lead 59-30 at half. Kaycee Steinke was instrumental during the second quarter onslaught scoring 11 points in the period and following it up with eight points in the third quarter to tie her career high of 19 points. 

The T-Birds blew away the Rattlers in the fourth quarter allowing just nine points while scoring 23. Otero would go on to lose by 50 to NMJC.

Indigo Bell came off the bench finishing with a career-high 13 points in the win over the Rattlers. Madison Wilson finished with 13 points and her sister Caitlin Wilson recorded 10 points.

Jada Graves and Luisa Amara were both in double figures with 11 points each. Bright Eze snatched a career-high 10 rebounds. 

"We shot the ball well tonight," NMJC women's head coach Austin Mefford said. "Anytime there is a disparity of 13 threes to two 3-pointers and 40 free throws to 20 you like your chances. We got a lot of contributions from people tonight and that's good to have." 

The bench for the T-Birds was outstanding, scoring 70 points to Otero's 22.   

"This was the high total of our year and anytime you hit nine of your 13 threes from the bench it is huge," Mefford said. "Everyone played well for us today and it was a well-rounded effort."

The T-Birds shot 35-for-76 (46.1%) from the field, 13-of-38 (34.2%) from the 3-point line, and 25-of-40 (62.5%) from the stripe. NMJC forced 19 turnovers and held the Rattlers to 31.1% from the field.

The No. 12 Thunderbirds move to 7-1 on the year and will face Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 12 p.m. MST.