T-Bird (WBB) Escapes Laramie on the Road

NMJC women's basketball overcame a huge rally by Laramie County CC to hold on 76-69.

The T-Birds led by as many as 17 points, 34-17, midway through the second quarter. Jada Graves hit a fadeway jumper at the buzzer to put the T-Birds in front of Laramie 40–26.

Laramie had a huge third quarter where they went on a 22-6 run and took the lead 48-46 at the 1:27 mark. NMJC trailed 51-49 at the end of the third quarter. 

The Thunderbirds went in front in the fourth 66-60 with 2:55 remaining in the game. Laramie caught fire hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 66 with 2:14 left. 

Azaleeah Oloapu gave NMJC the lead with a layup at the 1:25 mark. Addison Edwards made a layup to put the Thunderbirds up by four but missed the foul shot with 33.1 remaining in the game. A jump ball on the rebound gave the T-Birds the ball with 32.5 left. Rekiah Bowen hit a clinching 3-pointer to make it 73-66 with 30.4 to go. NMJC went on to win by seven points, 76-69.  

Jada Graves finished with 14 points, eight assists, and five steals. Azaleeah Oloapu went 7-for-8 from the field recording 17 points and four rebounds. Rekiah Bowen posted 12 points and four rebounds.

The T-Birds shot 31-for-63 (49.2%) from the field, 6-of-19 (31.6%) from the 3-point line, and 8-of-15 (53.3%) from the stripe. NMJC forced 21 turnovers and held the Golden Eagles to 34.2% from the field. 

The No. 10 Thunderbirds move to 9-1 on the year and will face Central Wyoming College in Cheyenne, WY Saturday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. MST.