Massive 2nd Quarter by T-Bird (WBB) Dooms Midland

No. 12 NMJC dispatched an early threat by Midland to outlast the Chaps on the road 79-67 on Monday, Feb. 23. 

The T-Birds fell uncharacteristically behind to the Chaps in the first quarter trailing 22-11. The T-Birds shot 22.2% from the field, 0% from beyond the arc, and 50% from the line in the frame.   

The second quarter was a different story. NMJC sunk seven 3-pointers (70%) and shot 57.9% from the field. NMJC exploded to a 31 point quarter and took a healthy 42-35 lead into the break. Madison Wilson scored 11 in the quarter and Luisa Amaral added four triples to finish with 12 points in the second. 

Midland made the first basket of the second half to pull within five points. That proved to be the closest they came the rest of the game. NMJC led by as many as 19 in the second half and finished the game ahead by 12 points.

Madison Wilson was a monster on the glass notching a career-high 18 rebounds for the second straight game. She also finished with a career-high 20 points in the win over the Chaps. 

Jada Graves scored 16 points despite being held scoreless in the fourth quarter. The sophomore from Amarillo, Texas recorded seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals in the contest.   

Freshman Luisa Amaral was hot from the outside shooting 4-of-6 from 3-point territory on her way to a 17-point game performance. 

Azaleeah Oloapu finished with 11 rebounds and nine points. Kaycee Steinke dished out five assists and extended her 3-point make streak to 14 games. 

The T-Birds shot 28-for-77 (36.4%) from the field, 9-of-28 (32.1%) from the 3-point line, and 14-of-24 (58.3%) from the charity stripe. NMJC forced 13 turnovers and held the Chaps to 35.8% from the field.

The T-Birds (8-4) are third in the WJCAC standings trailing Howard (9-2), and Clarendon 11-0. 

The No. 12 Thunderbirds move to 21-5 (8-4) on the year and will face Frank Phillips College in Hobbs, NM Thursday, Feb. 26 at 5:45 p.m. MST.