LEVELLAND, Texas—The South Plains College Texans opened their 2016 campaign in stellar fashion on Wednesday night, routing Wayland Baptist JV 136-38 in the season home opener at the Texan Dome.
The Texans (1-0) placed seven scorers in double figures, shooting 66 percent from the floor in the contest and 41 percent from behind the arc. Wayland (0-1) shot just 18 percent from the field and was out-rebounded 61-17 on the glass.
Roberto Gallinat led all scorers with 25 points and was 9-for-12 from the field and 6-for-9 from the 3-point line in 17 minutes of action. Grantham Gillard recorded his first double-double in a Texans uniform, finishing the game with 16 points and 11 boards.
"We've had some good practices, and that just followed us to the game tonight," Gallinat said. "We have a special group of guys, there's nobody that can't get subbed out and put up the same type of production, and that gives us a good advantage."
Montell McRae, a 6-8 sophomore from Cleveland, OH controlled the interior for South Plains, chipping in 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting and hauled in five rebounds. Texas Tech commit Jordan Brangers pitched in with 13 points in his Texans debut, while Raquan Mitchell was 6-of-11 shooting, finishing with 12 points and two assists.
"We were moving the ball a lot, and once the ball moves for us our offense is crazy," McRae said. "I'm not really concerned with the points I score, I'm just trying to rebound and help the offense. This team is a lot faster, and we just transition a lot better than last year."
Jahill Tripp, a 6-5 freshman from Brooklyn, NY scored 16 points in his college debut, knocking down eight of his 10 shots while also hauling in seven boards and had three assists. Shawntrez Davis finished with 12 points and four rebounds in his first game for South Plains, while sophomore Ibrahima Diagne had eight points and nine rebounds.
"We came out clicking on all cylinders," Tripp said. "We've been working hard all year, and came in here and did what we wanted to do. Coach Green told us he wanted us to play fast, because we want to try and get out in transition and run teams out of the gym. We need to come out with the same energy this weekend, and just make sure everyone is on the same page and try and get wins."
The Texans will travel to Lewisville, TX this weekend, and will tip off at noon on Nov. 5 against Navarro, followed by a matchup with Trinity Valley at 2 p.m. on Nov. 6.