T-Bird (WBB) Suffers 1st Loss of 2025

No. 9 NMJC fell for the first time this season to No. 17 Arizona Western in overtime 83-81.

The T-Birds trailed 37-33 at the half and the Matadors extended that lead in the third with a 53-46 advantage headed into the fourth. 

Arizona Western hit a layup with 17 seconds remaining in the game to grab a 69-67 lead.

The T-Bird advanced the ball with a timeout. Jada Graves received the inbound and ran a dribble handoff to Kaycee Steinke who nailed a contested 3-pointer on the right wing to give NMJC a 70-69 lead with seven seconds left. Forward Bright Eze fouled the Matadors' Mable Doumbia as she was with two seconds to go. Arizona Western hit 1-of-2 from the stripe to force overtime.

The Matadors outlasted NMJC in OT to win 83-81 after Caitlin Wilson recorded a layup to make it one possession as time was expiring.     

Sophomore guard Jada Graves recorded a career-high 28 points and finished with seven rebounds and seven assists.

Rekiah Bowen tallied 13 points and four steals. Kaycee Steinke posted nine points and three rebounds. Forward Madison Wilson added seven points and five rebounds.

The T-Birds shot 28-for-66 (42.4%) from the field, 10-of-26 (38.5%) from the 3-point line, and 15-of-24 (62.5%) from the free throw line. NMJC forced 19 turnovers.

The No. 9 Thunderbirds look to bounce back against Southwestern Christian College Friday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. CST in Odessa, Texas.