LEVELLAND – Only two games remain in SPC's men's and women's basketball season, but both the Texans and Lady Texans still have a lot to play for as they get ready for their final regular season road trip in Midland on Monday, Feb. 24.
Tip off is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. for the women's game, with the men following immediately after at 7:45 p.m. at the Chaparral Center.
The seventh-ranked Texans (24-4, 11-3 WJCAC) currently own a tie for the top spot in the league standings that is being hotly contested amongst five teams. South Plains owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with Howard (23-5, 11-3), but a misstep in the final week could prove costly with New Mexico (22-5, 10-4), Odessa (22-6, 10-5) and Western Texas (21-7, 9-5) all within two games of the lead.
South Plains swept the season series with Howard and New Mexico, split with Western Texas, and end their regular season with a showdown versus Odessa at the Texan Dome Thursday, Feb. 27.
Odessa won the first meeting 76-56, handing the Texans what was then their first conference loss.
Before seeking revenge against the Wranglers, though, the Texans must travel to Midland and face a team they humiliated 94-50 Jan. 23 at the Texan Dome in what was possibly the most complete game the SPC men played all year when they shot 56-percent from the field and nailed 15 3-point goals.
Losers of five straight and completely out of the race for a playoff spot, Midland has nothing more to play for than to knock off a highly ranked team and shakeup the conference standings.
The Lady Texans (15-10, 9-3) enter Monday's game with third-place in the league all clinched up. However, a win Monday would set up a showdown against Odessa at 5:45 p.m. Thursday that would determine which team will enter next month's Region 5 Tournament as the No. 2 seed from the conference.
Odessa currently holds a 1-½ game lead on the Lady Texans, but do not play Monday with only their game versus SPC remaining. The Lady Texans won their first matchup against Odessa and a win Thursday would give SPC the head-to-head tiebreaker.
South Plains also defeated Midland earlier in the season, but have not won on Midland's home floor since Feb. 6, 2006 when the Lady Texans defeated the Lady Chaps 57-51.
Midland (17-11, 7-6) is looking to snap a two-game losing streak and will enter the Region 5 tournament as the fourth-seed from the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.
Fans wishing to watch the action can access a live video stream by visitingwww.spctexans.com. KLVT Radio's Michael Wiiest will call the action that can also be heard on 1230 AM KLVT Radio and www.klvtradio.com.
Game Information Lady Texans (15-10, 9-3) at Midland (17-11, 7-6)
No. 7 Texans (24-4, 11-3) at Midland (11-17, 3-12_
Location: Midland, Texas (Chaparral Center)
Radio: KLVT 1230 AM | Michael Wiiest
Video and Stats: www.spctexans.com