Posted: Feb 05, 2009
LEVELLAND, Texas - The South Plains College Lady Texans improved their record to 7-3 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference and 20-6 overall as they defeated Clarendon College for the second time this season, 76-53. It took an extra period for the Lady Texans to take care of Clarendon on January 8 when they won 65-61.
Taniqua Ards got the lady Texans on the board first on a layup, with an assist from sophomore Rachel Gray. Clarendon then answered with a layup of their own, but that was the only time in the game South Plains would allow the Lady Bulldogs to tie, and SPC never trailed in the game.
South Plains went on to dominate the Lady Bulldogs in the first half, jumping out to as much as a 20 point lead before settling for a 41-27 score at halftime. Sajoyia Griffin had the hot hand in the first half, leading SPC with 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
The first twelve minutes of the second half was pretty evenly played between the two teams, with Clarendon able to decrease their deficit by only three points just past the 9:00 mark. Leading 56-45 with 8:46 to go in the game, South Plains put the game out of reach by going on a 9-1 run over the next four minutes and outscored Clarendon 20-8 for the remainder of the game.
Sajoyia Griffin had a career night for the Lady Texans as she scored a career high 25 points, pulled down 6 rebounds and dished out five assists. Lubbock native Taniqua Ards had another big night with 19 points.
The win allows SPC to maintain sole possesion of second place in the WJCAC. Coming into the game the Lady Texans led Odessa (5-4) and Howard College (5-4) by one game and had a 1.5 game lead on New Mexico (4-4). Odessa was idle tonight and will remain at 5-4. Howard hosted New Mexico Junior College tonight in Big Spring in a game that will have big implications on a bid for one of the final regional playoff berths.
The Lady Texans have some time off before their next game versus conference leader Midland College on Monday, February 16. South Plains will be looking for some revenge after losing to Midland twice this year. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Texan Dome and will be aired live on KLVT 1230 AM and www.hprnetwork.com.
Covenant Hospital of Levelland is sponsoring the game against Midland and they are promoting everyone to 'Think Pink' for breast cancer awareness. The SPC athletic department is hosting a brisket and chicken dinner on the floor during the women's game from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Plates are $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children and children under six years of age may receive complimentary hot dogs. All proceeds from ticket sales and the dinner will go towards mammograms for the community.