Posted: Feb 05, 2009
LEVELLAND, Texas - The South Plains College Texans retained at least a share of first place in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference as they defeated Clarendon College 93-69 at the Texan Dome to move to 9-2. Midland College entered tonights game at Western Texas with an 8-2 record and a two game losing streak. New Mexico and Western Texas were tied for the third and fourth spots with 7-3 WJCAC records.
SPC found themselves in an early hole as Clarendon jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game. The Texans then went on a 10-0 run to take the lead with 14:20 remaining in the half. Clarendon's Sam Jones responded with a successful three-point shot. Bo Ingram tied the game up at 14-14, but Clarendon hit another three and made a layup on consecutive trips down the court to take a five point lead. That was as good as it would get for the Bulldogs as SPC took the lead for good, 27-25, with just over seven minutes to go in the half. At halftime the Texans led 42-38.
Clarendon tried to keep the game interesting as they came out and converted the first points of the second half by nailing a three pointer. The Bulldogs would never get any closer as the Texans outscored Clarendon 25-8 in the first ten minutes of the second half to put the game out of reach and eventually win 93-69.
David Tairu (pictured above) scored a season high 29 points and also pulled in seven rebounds. Tairu was 11-of-14 from the field, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. Bo Ingram and Ladarius Hall each added 13 points, while Landon Tatum dished out 10 assists.
The Texans do not play on Monday, February 9 and return to action on Thursday, February 12 when they travel to Roswell, N.M. to take on New Mexico Military. The game will be aired live on KLVT 1230 AM and www.hprnetwork.com. Tip-off is 7 p.m. (MST).
South Plains will return to the Texan Dome on Monday, February 16 in a game that could have major conference championship implications. Covenant Hospital of Levelland is sponsoring the game and promoting everyone to 'Think Pink,' for breast cancer awareness. The SPC athletic department will host a brisket and chicken dinner from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on the floor of the dome during the Lady Texan game. Plates are $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children, with children six years of age and under receiving complimentary hot dogs.