SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The South Plains College women's basketball fell to Mesa Community College 74-65 Thursday on the first day of the Bill Culver Memorial Classic.
South Plains' Gabbie Green led all scorers with 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting from the field including 4 of 7 from the perimeter. La'Praisjah Johnson poured in 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds to go along with three assists in 38 minutes.
Freshman Chantel Govan tallied 10 points for South Plains (10-4) on 4 of 6 shooting and also dished out three assists. Lubbock product Chelsea Hunter scored nine points and corralled a game-high 12 boards over 32 minutes.
Takara Wake led the Lady Thunderbirds (9-2) with 14 points on 5 of 15 shooting from the field. Deja Dagon bucketed 13 points, sinking 6 of 8 shots from the floor, while Anessa Glenn totaled 11 points and five boards over 27 minutes.
South Plains shot 41 percent (23-55) in the contest including 45 percent (11-24) in the front half. Mesa posted a 45 percent (29-64) mark from the field and shot 31 percent (6-10) from the perimeter. Mesa received 26 points off the bench and forced the Lady Texans into 22 turnovers over 40 minutes.
South Plains will look to get back in the win column on Friday when they tipoff against Phoenix College at 2:30 p.m. MST in Scottsdale. In their previous matchup on Nov. 18 in Levelland, the Lady Texans trounced the Lady Bears 86-53 at the Texan Dome.