CLARENDON — South Plains rallied back from a 16-point first half deficit, but a late defensive stand from Clarendon would prove to be enough in the end as the Bulldogs edged the Texans 62-61 Monday night at Bulldog Gymnasium.

SPC falls to 21-6 on the year and 9-4 in league play and will be back home on Thursday when they host Western Texas at 7:30 p.m. on Sophomore Night at the Dome.

Clarendon jumped out to a 24-8 lead with just over eight minutes to play in the front half but would see its lead cut to just three following a 21-8 run from the Texans to end the half, as the Bulldogs took a 32-29 lead into the break.

Trading buckets early in the final stint, South Plains would get back to even with 7:11 to play, as Elijah Tate converted at the rim to deadlock the game at 52 all. The next five minutes would see both offenses struggle to convert, with Clarendon taking a 59-56 lead on a jumper from Jeriah Coleman with 2:13 left.

Leading by two with just over a minute remaining, Jamail West would give the Bulldogs a four point advantage, 62-58 with a two-handed dunk with 58 ticks to go. South Plains answered back, as Jaden Harris buried a 3 from the elbow to get the Texans within one, 62-61 with 51 seconds remaining.

Following a stop on the next possession, South Plains would get the final shot and put the ball into the hands of Jalen McDonald. McDonald drove the lane from the left side, but was met at the basket by a host of Clarendon defenders and was unable to convert at the bucket in the final seconds.   

South Plains shot 35.1 percent from the field, as Harris netted a team-high 18 points over 31 minutes. Christian Coleman poured in 13 points and snagged nine boards while Muon Reath finished with nine points and four rebounds.