LEVELLAND — Jaden Harris led all scorers with 26 points as No. 10 South Plains quieted Clarendon College 65-58 Monday at the Texan Dome to improve to 16-3 on the year and 4-1 in the WJCAC.
The Texans will be on the road Thursday in Snyder, squaring off with Western Texas at 7:30 p.m. The contest will stream live at spctexans.com and can be heard locally on KLVT Radio AM1230.
"We were down a guy tonight, and guys were moving positions, and I told our guys that felt like a region tournament game," South Plains College head coach Hayden Sowers said. "It was slow, we had to grind it out, and I'm glad our guys found a way to win. We have guys who didn't score in the first half who are averaging double figures, so at least our defense was there tonight. You hold your opponent to 58 points, you're going to give yourself a chance to win."
Harris knocked down nine of 14 shots from the field and was seven of 10 from the free throw line over 40 minutes. Christian Coleman scored in double figures for the 19th consecutive game, totaling 16 points and 11 boards over 32 minutes. Elijah Tate chipped in 11 points and snagged three boards, his fifth game netting double figures in his last six outings.
"Defensively, Clarendon was dropping coverage on the ball screen, and I tried to attack their big guys and get some layups early," Harris said. "We were trying to get downhill and create shots for everyone else. Defensively, we locked in on their shooters and did a good job of not allowing them to get open looks. We really focused on moving the ball and putting pressure on them in the second half, and it worked out for us tonight."
Malek Abdelgowad poured in six points to go along with seven rebounds, while Muon Reath was a menace on the defensive end for South Plains, swatting four shots over 33 minutes. The Texans forced Clarendon to shoot just 37 percent from the field and five of 25 from distance in the contest.
"Clarendon played well inside the paint, so we focused on moving the ball from one side to the other," Reath said. "That worked well for us, and we were able to attack and create some open shots. We wanted to disrupt their offense any way we would, and we were able to force them to take difficult shots. Coach Sowers has preached to us about the game we have lost by one possession, so we are trying to focus on winning every possession and finding ways to win those games."