LEVELLAND – The South Plains College Lady Texans had little trouble dismantling Frank Phillips College Monday night at the Texan Dome, defeating the Lady Plainsmen 71-35 and, in doing so, now find themselves in a tie for first atop the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) standings.
Sydney Hearn led all scorers with 16 points, making 5-of-6 shots from the field and was joined in double figures by Shea Myattand Alexius Dawn who chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
South Plains (18-3, 5-1 WJCAC) – ranked twenty-first in the NJCAA polls released Jan. 23 - jumped out to an early 9-2 lead, but by the midway point of the opening half held only a four-point lead, 14-10. The Lady Texans closed the first half with a 15-4 scoring run to take a 15-point lead to the locker room.
The Lady Texans completely dominated the second half and did not allow Frank Phillips to get any closer than 13 points en route to their 36-point margin of victory.
With the win, Lady Texan head coach Michelle Wyatt remains perfect against Frank Phillips with a 17-0 record.
Winners of 11 of their last 12 games, the Lady Texans are now in a tie for first in the WJCAC standings with New Mexico (16-3, 5-1) and Midland (17-5, 5-1). South Plains' only league loss came when a late rally fell just short Jan. 14 at New Mexico. However, the Lady T-Birds fell 52-50 to the hands of Odessa (15-5, 5-2) Monday night in Hobbs to setup the three-way tie.
New Mexico and Midland are scheduled to square off Thursday, Jan. 31 in Midland.
The Lady Texans will complete the first half of their conference schedule Thursday when they travel to Clarendon (10-12, 0-6) for a 5:45 p.m. tipoff with a victory keeping them tied with the winner of the New Mexico/Midland game for the conference lead as each team enters the second half of league play.
South Plains' next three games will be on the road. Following Clarendon will be tough games at Midland (Feb. 7) and Howard (Feb. 9) before the Lady Texans host New Mexico (Feb. 11).
The Holiday Inn Express of Levelland sponsored Monday's game at the Texan Dome, donating t-shirts that were thrown to the crowd as well as gift cards fans had the opportunity to win at halftime.
The winners of Holiday Inn Express halftime drawings during the Lady Texan game were Neil Welch ($25 iTunes card); Megan Villanueva ($50 United card); Michael Deardorff ($100 United card); and Mike Coler ($75 Levelland Time certificate).
Frank Phillips (9-13, 2-4)
Markiesha Campbell 1-6 0-0 2, Saber Bohlar 3-5 0-0 9, Shakirra Smith 1-5 3-4 5, Brennan Lytle 0-0 0-0 0, A'ja Griggs 1-6 1-2 3, Rudy Rodriguez 1-3 2-2 4, Natasha Thomas 0-5 2-4 2, Cheyenne Swoopes 1-4 1-2 3, Akwar Obong 0-2 0-0 0, Honesty Sullivan 2-5 3-4 7, Heather Perry 0-0 0-0 0, Jacy Judd 0-3 0-0 0, Sharley Hale 0-0 0-0 0, Quianna Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Mariah Jeffries 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 10-46 12-18 35
South Plains (18-3, 5-1 )
Alexius Dawn 4-6 3-6 12, Aundrea Davis 0-0 0-0 0, TaSheena Moore 2-6 2-2 6, Briana Brigham 0-1 0-0 0, Katie Bluzer 0-0 2-2 2, Jasmine Brainard 2-6 3-4 7, Kayla Turner 2-2 0-0 6, Shea Myatt 4-9 4-4 14, Courtney Dawson 1-2 0-0 2, Lindsey Lee 0-2 0-0 0, Sydney Hearn 5-6 6-7 16, Stephanie Moore 3-5 0-2 6. Totals 23-45 20-27 71
SCORE BY PERIODS 1st 2nd TOTAL
Frank Phillips 14 21 35
South Plains 29 42 71
FG%: Frank Phillips .217, South Plains .511. 3-pt FG:Frank Phillips 3-15 (Campbell 0-1, Bohlar 3-5, Smith 0-1, Griggs 0-1, Thomas 0-2, Judd 0-3, Jeffries 0-2), South Plains 5-12 (Dawn 1-3, Moore 0-2, Turner 2-2, Myatt 2-4, Lee 0-1). Rebounds: Frank Phillips 30 (TEAM 7), South Plains 36 (Moore 8). Fouls Frank Phillips 24, South Plains 10. Fouled out: none. Technical: none. Assists: Frank Phillips 5 (Swoopes 2), South Plains 14 (Moore 5). Steals: Frank Phillips 8 (Rodriguez 2), South Plains 11 (Dawn 4). Blocked shots: Frank Phillips 2 (Obong 2), South Plains 1 (Lee 1). Turnovers: Frank Phillips 21, South Plains 13.
Scores from around the WJCAC, Monday, January 28
No. 21 South Plains (18-3, 5-1) 71, Frank Phillips (9-13, 2-4) 35
No. 19 New Mexico (16-3, 5-1) 50, Odessa (15-5, 5-2) 52
Midland (17-5, 5-1) 102, Clarendon (10-12, 0-6) 77
Howard (13-6, 2-4) Bye
Western Texas (8-15, 1-6) Bye
WJCAC schedule Thursday, Jan. 31
No. 21 South Plains at Clarendon
No. 19 New Mexico at Midland
Howard at Frank Phillips