Hawks Snap T-Birds 12-Game Winning Streak

NMJC women's basketball suffered their first loss in conference play 76-66 to Howard College on Monday, Jan. 12.  

The T-Birds led 14-13 with just over 2:00 left in the first quarter. Howard closed the period on a 7-2 run to move in front 20-16. The Thunderbirds pulled even, 25-25, following a Kaycee Steinke triple at the 7:34 mark in the second quarter. NMJC would not pull even or in front the rest of the game. Howard finished the half ahead 41-33.

Sophomore guard Jada Graves cut the deficit to six points, 58-52, right before the end of the third quarter. Howard outscored the T-Birds 18-14 in the fourth quarter and went on to defeat NMJC by 10 points. 

Jada Graves finished the night with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Luisa Amaral recorded 11 points and eight rebounds.

Forward Addison Edwards posted 10 points and seven rebounds. Freshmen Madison Wilson and Rekiah Bowen both registered nine points Monday.

The T-Birds struggled from beyond the arc with Luisa Amaral and Rekiah Bowen shooting a combined 1-for-21 from 3-point territory.  

The Thunderbirds shot 24-for-76 (31.6%) from the field, 4-of-33 (12.1%) from the 3-point line, and 14-of-22 (63.6%) from the stripe. NMJC forced 22 turnovers, but the Hawks shot 46.8% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. 

The loss snaps the T-Birds 12-game winning that dated back to Nov. 7. 

The No. 8 Thunderbirds fall to 14-2 (1-1) on the year and will face Clarendon College in Hobbs, NM Thursday, Jan. 15 at 5:45 p.m. MST.