LEVELLAND — Four players scored in double figures for South Plains, but a late surge from Odessa would prove to be the difference in the final minutes as the Wranglers held off the Texans 85-81 Monday at the Texan Dome.
South Plains moves to 16-11 on the season and 10-5 in league play and will close out the regular season on Thursday when they host Midland at 7:30 p.m. at the Dome.
"I thought our guys played hard," SPC head coach Steve Green said. "If we don't throw the ball away on three of four inbound plays we're going to be alright. We got tired, and anyone in Hockley County probably wants to know if we ever work on free throws. Rightfully so, that would be a good question to ask. But, where we are now from where we were, we are a lot better, and they are just a little more seasoned right now than we are."
Odessa led 44-38 at the midway point but would see their lead dwindle away in the opening minutes of the second half as South Plains tied the game at 52 following a bucket from Malik Zachery with 15:24 to play. The Texans would go on to take their first lead of the second half, 65-63 on a pair of free throws from Malek Abdelgowad with 8:14 to go.
The Wranglers responded with a 15-3 run, recapturing the lead 78-68 following a layup from Daniss Jenkins with 2:02 remaining. SPC would get back within six, 80-74 with 48 seconds left on a jumper from Jaden Harris. South Plains would then force a turnover on the inbounds and cut the deficit to four, 80-76 on a pair of free throws from Savion Gallion.
Following a defensive foul on the Wranglers following possession, Jenkins knocked down a pair of free throws to put Odessa up six, 82-76 with 27 ticks to play, which would prove to be enough in the final seconds.
Zachery led SPC with 21 points and six assists, connecting on 6 of 14 shots over 38 minutes. Harris chipped in 17 points on 6 of 12 attempts while Kieves Turner netted 16 and DJ Avery poured in 12 points. SPC shot a 40.6 percent clip from the floor but was 6 of 26 from distance and 23-40 from the free throw line.
Jenkins finished with a game-high 24 points, bucketing 6 of 11 shots, and was 10 of 11 from the charity stripe over 30 minutes. Antony Marshall provided 16 points off the bench for Odessa while Dontrell Hewlett netted 14 points and Daniel Rivera tallied 12 points and four boards. Odessa finished 46.6 percent from the floor, 5 of 18 from the 3-point line, and was 26 of 35 from the free throw line.
"We're shooting the ball better and have had better guard play," Green said. "You have to credit Odessa, and they are quick and get a hand in your face. We have settled into nine or 10 guys, and we know who is going to play for us and that helps a lot. We don't have anyone playing for us right now who was playing for us last year, so ins some respects we are a young team together. I like where we are, and I like our chances going into the Region Tournament."