Amerson nailed 8-of-14 shots overall, including 7-of-12 from beyond the arc.
South Plains blew the game open early, jumping out to a 9-2 lead in the opening minutes on their way to a 25-point halftime lead, 55-30.
The Texans not only needed the victory to stay in the hunt for a Region 5 playoff berth, but the dominating performance may raise confidence a bit as South Plains will now enter a tough three-game stretch that includes games at Midland (Feb. 7), at Howard (Feb. 9), before hosting New Mexico JC Feb. 11 at the Texan Dome.
South Plains (17-5, 6-3) is now in a three-way tie for third place in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) standings following the Monday slate of league games. Midland (15-5, 6-3) pounded No. 16-ranked Howard 74-60 to lock the three teams into the tie, which could add some intrigue to the next few games on the Texan schedule.
South Plains' next two games are at Midland and Howard, followed by a home match with WJCAC leading New Mexico Feb. 11. The Texans are only one-and-a-half games back of the T-Birds and victories during this tough stretch would put them right back in the hunt for the lead in the WJCAC.
The Texans will look to extend their three-game winning streak Thursday night when they travel to Midland College in what should be a game that will significantly impact the conference standings. Thursday's game will be broadcast live online at www.spctexans.com as well as over the air on KLVT 1230 AM. KLVT Radio's Michael Wiiest will call the action from courtside. The Texans and Chaparrals will tip-off at 7:45 p.m.
NMMI (6-16, 2-7)
Da'Shawn Suber 1-5 0-1 2, Desmond Barnes 10-18 6-7 29, Marcus Roper 1-4 1-1 3, Najee Whitehead 2-14 2-2 6, Serigne Mboup 3-4 3-4 9, Isaac Bejarano 0-2 0-0 0, Quinton Moncrief 0-0 0-0 0, Eric Edwards 4-9 0-0 8, Mario Karailiev 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 23-58 12-15 61
South Plains (17-5, 6-3 )
Terrence Durham 0-1 0-0 0, Yanick Moreira 7-13 2-2 16, Jamaal Samuel 2-4 0-0 4, Darrel Lucky 3-11 0-0 6, Devonte Smith 0-6 0-0 0, Malik Nichols 4-4 0-2 8, Kendahl Amerson 8-14 1-2 24, Forrest Robinson 1-2 0-0 2, Roderick Lawrence 2-6 1-2 7, Brandon Neel 0-0 0-0 0,Ryan Martin 2-4 5-8 9, Michael Karena 1-1 0-0 2, Anthony Walker 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-66 9-16 78
SCORE BY PERIODS 1st 2nd TOTAL
NMMI 30 31 61
South Plains 55 23 78
FG%: NMMI .397, South Plains .455. 3-pt FG:NMMI 3-17 (Suber 0-2, Barnes 3-6, Roper 0-2, Whitehead 0-5, Bejarano 0-2), South Plains 9-24 (Durham 0-1, Lucky 0-5, Smith 0-1, Amerson 7-12, Lawrence 2-5). Rebounds: NMMI 26 (Barnes 7), South Plains 47 (Moreira 11). Fouls NMMI 11, South Plains 15. Fouled out: none. Technical: none. Assists: NMMI 6 (Mboup 3), South Plains 22 (Smith 13). Steals: NMMI 4 (Barnes 1, Whitehead 1, Mboup 1, Edwards 1), South Plains 6 (Amerson 2). Blocked shots: NMMI 3 (Mboup 1, Moncrief 1, Edwards 1), South Plains 3 (Moreira 3). Turnovers: NMMI 10, South Plains 11.