Zita Carries T-Birds to Win

Delma Zita finished the night with 25 points, shooting 50% from the field, with six steals, and five rebounds in the 63-54 win over Midland. The sophomore point guard scored 15 straight points to close out the fourth quarter and earn the T-Birds the victory.

The Thunderbirds were battling early, clinging to a three-point lead, 17-14, at the end of the first quarter. 

The Chaps tied the score up at 22 apiece with 6:24 to go in the second quarter. NMJC ripped off a 13-4 run in the final 5:52 of the first half to grab a nine-point lead, 35-26, headed into halftime. 

Zita made a layup with 8:02 to go in the third quarter to extend the T-Birds lead back up to four, 37-32. Midland, who battled all night, went on a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to grab the lead 42-37. 

Zita knocked down a pair of free throws with 53 seconds remaining in the quarter to tie the game at 44 headed into the fourth. The sophomore would go off in the fourth quarter scoring the T-Birds final 15 points in route to a 63-54 victory over the Chaps.

Madina Camara finished with10 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Forward Mariama Sow was the leader off the bench for the Thunderbirds with nine points and six rebounds. Sophomore Danna Grenald scored eight points and added seven rebounds.

The T-Birds shot 23-of-68 (33.8%) from the field, 6-for-21 (28.6%) from the three-point line, were 11-of-14 (78.6%) from the free throw line, and forced 23 turnovers in the nine-point win.

Zita was named WJCAC Player of the Week for her performance at Midland.

The Thunderbirds climb to 18-4 on the year and 7-2 in conference. NMJC will play Western Texas College Monday, Feb. 13 at 5:45 p.m. CDT in Hobbs, NM.