HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The South Plains College Texan basketball team has advanced to the third round of the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., where they will take on top-seed Indian Hills Thursday at 12 p.m. in which the winner will move on to Friday's semifinal round.
South Plains knocked off Paris JC 75-65 Wednesday night in a game that began two hours later than scheduled.
Indian Hills had a hand in SPC's late start as they had to rally to scrap out a victory over WJCAC and Region V Tournament runner-up, New Mexico JC.
Described by Texan head coach Steve Green as an athletic team that shoots the ball well, Indian Hills was not terribly sharp against the T-Birds. Despite making only seven-of-26 first half shots that included 0-for-11 from the 3-point line, Indian Hills trailed by only three at halftime, 32-29.
Initially, fate seemed like it would be on the T-Birds side as they built up a 16-point second half lead.
The Warriors would rally and came up with just enough big plays and clutch free throws to come away with a 102-94 double overtime victory that also forced Texan fans to wonder if NJCAA TV was suffering technical difficulties since they were not having any luck pulling up the 4:30 p.m. broadcast.
Indian Hills shot only 39-percent for the game, and also suffered 25 turnovers, something the Texans should not count on seeing Thursday as the Warriors averaged an NJCAA best 111 points per game during the season, converting on 50-percent of their shots. The Warriors also convert an NJCAA best 11 3-point goals per game.
Green said the Warriors will try to dictate a full court game; something he said he believes his team is 'ok with.'
The Texans have been getting help from several players with six averaging eight points or better during the two tournament games. Roderick Lawrence and Andre Spight have led the way thus far, with averages of 18 and 16 points per game, respectively.
South Plains and Indian Hills will be the first of four quarterfinal games scheduled for Thursday. Each of the games will be broadcast live at www.njcaatv.com.