Poor shooting dooms Garden City in loss to third-ranked Thunderbirds

Hobbs, NM-For a second straight day, Garden City struggled mightily from the field.  

The Broncbusters shot just 31 percent, Cacia Antonio and Pania Davis combined for 51 points, and third-ranked New Mexico topped Garden City, 72-50 at the Caster Activity Center on Saturday night. 

Jolie Mantz finished with 14 points in 31 minutes for the Broncbusters, which fell to 3-2 overall. Antonicia Moultrie had 13 points and six boards, and Priscilla Rose Wemba chipped in 12 points and six rebounds.  

Garden City got off to a quick start after Sierra Driessen drilled a midrange jumper and Mantz connected from deep to make it 5-0. After the Thunderbirds scored five straight to tie it, the freshman guard hit another 3, and Moultrie nailed a line-drive triple from the top of the key. The Broncbusters were down two after one.  

But the second quarter was Greg Franklin's team undoing. 

Garden City missed eight of their 11 shots and turned the ball over six times. Meantime New Mexico scored six straight off of layups by Amyah Sutton and Antonio. Antonio then drained two free throws and converted a twisting right-handed reverse, Davis hit two freebies, and Antonio banked one home from three feet, capping a 14-5 run to close the period and giving the home team a 37-26 advantage at the break. The Thunderbirds outscored the Broncbusters, 16-7 in the quarter.  

Garden City trailed by double digits the rest of the night as New Mexico built the lead to as many as 26 after Davis's layup made it 61-35 with 7:54 remaining in the fourth.  

Antonio finished with 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting in 35 minutes for New Mexico, which turned 15 Broncbuster turnovers into 21 points. The Thunderbirds also outscored the Broncbusters, 44-18 in the paint.