MESA, Arizona — The second-ranked South Plains College women's basketball team closed out their road trip out west with a 52-49 victory over Mesa Community College Tuesday at Theo Heap Gymnasium to improve to 18-0 on the year.

"We are extremely lucky to get out of town with a win on the fourth day against a very disciplined and well coached Mesa team," South Plains head coach Cayla Petree said. "They gave us everything we could handle. One more possession and that game might have gone the other way. It was definitely their momentum the last four minutes of the game. We are grateful we could hang on."

Ka'Lia Smith led the Lady Texans on the offensive end with 12 points and four rebounds, dropping in 3 of 4 shots from the floor and was 6-for-9 from the free throw line. Sophomore Ruth Koang provided eight points off the bench, bucketing 4 of 6 shots and snagged five boards over 13 minutes.

TCU signee Caroline Germond chipped in seven points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists, finishing 3 of 9 from the floor over 35 minutes for South Plains. Sophomore Oceane Robin totaled six points and four rebounds, while also dishing out three assists and was 2 of 5 from the hardwood in 26 minutes.

Johanna Teder netted six points and three rebounds and Asia McCoy totaled six points and two boards as the Lady Texans shot 35.4 percent from the floor and 22.7 percent from distance. Mesa was led by sophomore Zyan Smith who led all scorers with 19 points and six boards. Janelle Barkey netted nine points and 12 rebounds as Mesa shot 33.3 percent and 41.7 percent from the 3-point line.

South Plains will return to league play on Jan. 6 when they travel to Clarendon College at 5:45 p.m., followed by a home matchup with conference foe New Mexico Junior College at 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 13.