T-Bird (WBB) Wraps up 2025-26 Season as National Runner-up

The T-Birds magical season came to a close in the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball National Championship where Eastern Arizona College defeated the Thunderbirds 57-51.

"This postseason run was fun and will NEVER be forgotten," NMJC women's basketball head coach Austin Mefford said. "A team that had ups and downs throughout the season, stumbled at the region tournament and wasn't sure if we would get an at-large bid. They got a second chance and made the most of it. We played the first game of the tournament and the last game. This team was so resilient and never quit, they played with a refuse to lose mentality. There were multiple games along the way where we were counted out but found a way to get the win. Unfortunately, we fell short in the National Championship, but they did not go down without a fight. They were proud to play wearing New Mexico across their chest."

This marks the second time the T-Birds have finished national runner-up. NMJC was the national runner-up to Gulf Coast State in 2019 when they fell by six points as well 68-62. Coach Mefford's four wins this year at the tournament are the most wins by an NMJC coach in a single tournament. He is 7-5 overall at the national tournament with NMJC. 

"This season had many challenges. This was not one of the more individually talented teams that we have had, however this group had the most heart and played together better than teams of the past," Coach Mefford said. "I think some of that shows from having the largest group we have had here in the summer, where they began building that chemistry and work ethic. It showed late in the season that it really is who is playing the best at that moment. I am proud of this group that we were playing our best basketball at the national tournament."

The first quarter was exactly what you expected from a national championship game. NMJC and Eastern Arizona exchanged three lead changes and were tied three times in the first 10 minutes of play. Fittingly the first quarter ended in a stalemate with the Gila Monsters and T-Birds tied at 15-15 after NMJC ended the quarter on a 4-0 run.

NMJC carried that momentum into the second quarter and pushed their lead to 27-19 with a little over 3:00 remaining in the quarter. The eight-point lead was the largest of the game for the Thunderbirds. Eastern scored on three straight possessions via an Esmeralda Enriquez triple, Eanae Dagons jumper, and another Enriquez triple to cut the lead and make the score 29-27 T-Birds with 50 seconds to go in the half. Neither team scored the rest of the quarter as the Gila Monsters took the momentum into the second half trailing 29-27.

"The game started with a lot of nerves for everyone on the floor and we were able to settle in and make some shots early," Mefford said. "We did a great job controlling the boards and getting stops on defense in the first half. We had all the momentum up eight and they were able to hit a few shots and cut it to two at the half."

The run for Eastern continued in the third when the Gila Monsters opened with a 9-0 spurt to take a 36-29 lead with 7:17 left. Rekiah Bowen's layup finally stopped the 17-2 run dating back to the second quarter and made the score 36-31 Eastern Arizona. NMJC had gone 5:03 of game time between shot makes prior to the T-Birds bucket by Bowen at the 6:26 mark in the third. 

"They came out of the half and punched us in the face," Coach Mefford said. "They were able to get offensive rebounds and pressure us on offense. Their experience showed at this moment with seven of their eight rotation players being sophomores that played in the final four last year." 

NMJC kept fighting and ended the third quarter behind the Gila Monsters 41-37. Eastern held their largest lead of the game at nine points, 51-42, following the under 5:00 media timeout in the fourth quarter.

Jada Graves hit two free throws and converted on a 3-point play to pull the T-Birds to within four points, 51-47 with 3:33 left in the game. The pivotal momentum in the game was just under two minutes left when Graves raced down the court and threw a fast break pass to Addison Edwards. Graves just overshot Edwards hands and turned the ball over in what would have made it a one possession game if not for the overthrow.

"This team never quits and they made a late push to get back into the game," Coach Mefford said. "We were able to put some game pressure on them late. Given the situation and the score, we had to be perfect down the stretch and have the ball bounce our way and unfortunately, we were not able to execute late. It was tough night scoring the ball for us and give them credit they have been one of the toughest defensive teams in the country all year."

NMJC did cut the deficit to three points, 54-51, with 13 seconds to go. Eastern Arizona hit both free throws and NMJC missed their 3-point attempt. The Gila Monster went on to make one more free throw and NMJC came up just short, 57-51.   

Jada Graves ended the national championship with 21 points and six rebounds.

"Jada was Jada in the championship and made winning plays for us the entire game," Coach Mefford said. "She has been the heart and soul of our team all year and put the team on her back in big moments and she did that to keep us in the game. This season might have been the biggest jump from freshman to sophomore year that I have seen. The growth from Jada was immeasurable. All she's heard is she is too small, once again she showed that she is not. She will be part of the record books for a long time to come and has made a case to be one of the best ever to play here."

Graves was honored Tuesday as the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Player of the Year for the NJCAA. Former T-Bird guard Cacia Antonio won the same award in 2025.

Graves, a sophomore guard, finished her Thunderbird career with numerous records. She tied the school record of 41 points in a game, has the most points per game in program history at 18.9 PPG, and the most points in a single season at 642. The Amarillo, Texas native owns the NMJC single-season assist record at 233 and is the NMJC all-time assists leader at 359. Graves also ended the 2025-26 season No. 3 in the NJCAA for assists trailing second place by one assist, and first place by two.

Forward Madison Wilson recorded seven points and 10 rebounds in the championship. Addison Edwards chipped in 10 rebounds. Azaleeah Olopau registered nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds off the bench.

Luisa Amaral and Zarai Lewis struggled on Tuesday shooting 1-for-10 and 1-for-11 from the field. NMJC was 2-for-18 (11.1) from 3-point range which was a season low in makes and percentage. Fatigue was a factor in the T-Birds difficulty of hitting shot according to Coach Mefford.

"The shots not falling showed that it was our fifth game of the tournament," Coach Mefford said. "EAC having the bye, it was only their 4th game and the tired legs showed with us not able to knock down those outside shots."

Jada Graves, Zarai Lewis, Kaycee Steinke, Bright Eze, Liz Buendia, and Andrea Lozoya ended their career as the winningest Thunderbirds at the national championship with a 5-2 record in two seasons. 

The T-Birds shot 20-for-62 (32.3%) from the field, 2-of-18 (11.1%) from the 3-point line, and 9-of-14 (64.3%) from the charity stripe. The Thunderbirds held the Gila Monsters to 28.6% from the field but gave up 10 three-pointers in the championship.

NMJC finishes their historic season with a 27-7 record, and they have now won 26 or more games in all five seasons under Coach Mefford. 

"The itch is always there to get back out and try to make another run, that's one of the main reasons we are here is the competitive factor," Coach Mefford said. "We will take some time to rest and recover as it has been a long season. We still have some pieces to fill recruiting for next year and then we will begin trying to get the next group ready to make a run."