LEVELLAND — The South Plains College men's basketball team is back on top of the NJCAA Div. I men's basketball poll, earning a No. 1 national ranking on Tuesday.

Previously ranked second, South Plains picked up wins over Howard and New Mexico Military Institute last week and are currently 16-1 on the year and 5-0 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

The Texans defeated New Mexico Junior College 77-50 on Monday at the Texan Dome and will travel to Snyder on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. tip against Western Texas College, both games which will be factored into next week's poll which will be released at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

The Lady Texans held strong at No. 5 in the NJCAA Div. I women's basketball national poll after defeating Howard 72-49 on Jan. 7 at the Texan Dome. South Plains picked up its biggest win of the season on Monday, defeating current No. 3 New Mexico Junior College 66-51 at home.

Should the Lady Texans win on Thursday against Western Texas College at 5:45 p.m. in Snyder, they will put themselves in prime contention to climb the national rankings in next week's poll, which is also slated to be released on Jan. 22.