T-Birds Defeat Conference Leader South Plains

Thunderbird sophomore guard Delma Zita finished with 17 points and five steals in the 59-42 wire-to-wire thrashing of 9-0 conference foe South Plains.

T-Bird guard Filipa Calisto knocked down a jumper with 2:13 to go in the first quarter to give the Thunderbirds their largest lead of the quarter 19-11. NMJC finished the first quarter in front 21-15.

Zita hit a three-pointer with 2:27 left in the half to extend the T-Birds lead to 13 points, its largest of the second quarter. The Wranglers were able to chip away at the lead and trail by only six points, 36-30, at the break.

The second half was dominated by NMJC. The T-Birds outscored the Wranglers 23-12 over the next two quarters to win 59-42. The stout defense held the Wranglers to three points in the third quarter and just 35.4% from the field.  

Guard Madina Camara scored 14 points and recorded four steals in the 17-point win. Forward Sandra Magolico finished with 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Forward Danna Grenald added nine points and six rebounds.

The T-Birds shot 25-of-52 (48.1%) from the field, 2-for-6 (33.3%) from the three-point line, and 7-of-8 (87.5%) from the charity stripe.

The Thunderbirds vault to 20-4 on the year and 9-2 in conference. NMJC will play Howard College Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5:45 p.m. CDT in Big Spring, Texas.