Brainard finished the game 6-of-12 from the field and scored 13 points in the second half.
South Plains (8-8, 2-1) jumped ahead early when Alexius Dawn hit a 3 in the opening moments of the game. However, the Lady T-Birds were able to grab the early momentum and built a nine-point lead by the 13-minute mark.
The Lady Texans hung in there and cut their deficit to one but eventually went to halftime trailing 33-26.
By the midway point of the second half, New Mexico looked like they might take control with a 10-point lead, 42-32. A 7-0 run that included five points from Brainard cut the Lady T-Bird lead to three and with less than five minutes to go it looked like the showdown between two of last year's three tri-champions might go down to the wire.
New Mexico was able to respond, rebuilding their advantage to as many as eight points with the clocking ticking down.
Brainard completed a three-point play that brought SPC within five, 52-47. But, there just was not enough time left on the clock on New Mexico held on for the four-point victory.
Last year, the two teams split with each winning their respective home contest.
The win improves New Mexico to 11-5 overall and 3-0 in league play and also puts the Lady T-Birds a half-game ahead of Odessa for sole possession of first place in the WJCAC.
The Lady Texans will return to action Monday, Jan. 13 when they host Clarendon College at 5:45 p.m. in the Texan Dome.
South Plains (8-8, 2-1)
Alexius Dawn 3-12 0-0 8, Desiree Cruz 0-1 0-0 0, Tasheena Moore 0-7 7-8 7, Briana Brigham 1-1 0-0 2, Ijeoma Nzekwe 3-8 2-2 8, Jasmine Brainard 6-12 6-9 20, Rafeegah Fataar 2-4 0-0 4, Rayvon Christian 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-45 15-19 49
New Mexico (11-5, 3-0)
Monique Mulder 1-4 1-2 4, Viktorila Kotilevskaia 0-1 2-3 2, Blair Richmond 2-7 0-2 5, Leila Jdily-Ezzad 0-3 2-2 2, Kelsey Criner 1-2 0-0 2, Kassandra Harris 6-21 7-9 19, Jolanna Ford 1-1 0-0 2, T'Keya Mason 0-5 1-2 1, Angelica de Paulo 2-3 0-0 4, Tanya Simpson 5-7 2-2 12. Totals 18-54 15-22 53
|
SCORE BY PERIODS |
1st |
2nd |
TOTAL |
|
South Plains |
26 |
23 |
49 |
|
New Mexico |
33 |
20 |
53 |
FG%: South Plains .333, New Mexico .333. 3-pt FG:South Plains 4-12 (Dawn 2-6, Cruz 0-1, Moore 0-2, Brainard 2-3), New Mexico 2-10 (Mulder 1-1, Richmond 1-6, Jdily-Ezzad 0-1, Harris 0-1, Mason 0-1). Rebounds: South Plains 29 (Moore 8), New Mexico 36 (Simpson 7). Fouls South Plains 19, New Mexico 18. Fouled out: none. Technical: none. Assists: South Plains 11 (Moore 5), New Mexico 11 (Mason 3). Steals: South Plains 7 (Brainard 2), New Mexico 13 (Mulder 3, Jdily-Ezzad 3). Blocked shots: South Plains 2 (Moore 1, Brainard 1), New Mexico 7 (Mulder 1, Kotilevskaia 1, Richmond 1, Harris 1, Mason 1, de Paulo 1, Simpson 1). Turnovers: South Plains 24, New Mexico 19.