LEVELLAND – The Texans and Lady Texans of South Plains College will embark on their longest road trip since beginning conference play earlier this month as they wrap up the first half of the WJCAC schedule Thursday evening at Clarendon College. Tipoff is 5:45 p.m. for the women's game and 7:45 p.m. for the men and can be listened to live on KLVT 1230 AM andwww.klvtradio.com.
Coach Wyatt Jan. 30 Interview Coach Green Jan. 30 Interview
With a win, the Lady Texans can complete the front half of the league schedule right where they want to be – at the top of the WJCAC standings – as they begin the first of three consecutive games on the road.
The NJCAA No. 20-ranked Lady Texans (16-3, 5-1 WJCAC) face a Lady Bulldog team that is quick to pull the trigger from outside, having attempted 838 three-point shots in 21 games, an average of just fewer than 40 per contest. They have converted only 249 of those attempts for an average less than 30-percent.
Clarendon (10-12, 0-6) is winless in the conference and riding a six-game losing streak entering Thursday's game, while the SPC women are winners in 11 of their last 12, including three in a row since suffering their first loss to WJCAC co-leader New Mexico Jan. 14.
Currently in a three-way tie for first, the Lady Texans will have less company at the top with a victory Thursday as co-leaders Midland and New Mexico also square off.
The Texans, meanwhile, look to end the first half of conference play on a positive note as well as maintain a top-four spot in the league standings as they are currently tied with rival Midland College for fourth place.
The Chaparrals host eighth-ranked New Mexico Thursday night. A Midland upset over the T-Birds would place the Texans only two games back of what would be co-leaders New Mexico and Odessa, while a Midland loss would give South Plains sole possession of the fourth spot – assuming the Texans take care of business on the road against the Bulldogs.
Clarendon (12-9, 1-6 WJCAC) played Midland close in their most recent game, falling 76-71, but can score the basketball as they lead the conference with 82 points per game. As indicated by their record, they also have trouble stopping their opponents, allowing a league worst 88 points per.
The Texans rank near the bottom in points scored, but are second in scoring defense (59 ppg).
GAME NOTES
South Plains College Texans and Lady Texans at Clarendon College (Clarendon, Texas).
5:45 p.m. No. 20 Lady Texans (18-3, 5-1) at Clarendon (10-12, 0-6)
7:45 p.m. Texans (15-5, 4-3) at Clarendon (12-9, 1-6)
Live gamecast and video at www.spctexans.com
Radio: KLVT 1230 AM and www.klvtradio.com.
8th year head coach Michelle Wyatt
Overall record: 172-61 (all at SPC)
Vs Clarendon: 10-1
Last played Clarendon Feb. 21, 2011, defeating the Lady Bulldogs 87-73 in a non-league game on the road. Also beat them 103-58 Jan. 27, 2011, at the Texan Dome. The Lady Texans swept Clarendon in their last season in the WJCAC – before returning this season – handing them a narrow 65-61 defeat on the road Jan. 8, 2009, and then 76-53 at the Texan Dome Feb. 5, 2009
Players to watch
No. Name Ht. Yr. Pos. Stats
11 Alexius Dawn 5-4 Fr. Guard 7.9 ppg, 5.2 apg
15 Tasheena Moore 5-7 Fr. Guard 14.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg
35 Shea Myatt 5-10 So. Wing 9.3 ppg, 78-201 3-pt FGA
51 Sydney Hearn 5-10 So. Post 10.2 ppg
55 Stephanie Moore 6-1 So. Post 8.1 ppg, 6 rpg
13th year head coach Steve Green
Overall record: 470-131
SPC record: 316-88
Vs Clarendon: 18-1
The Texans have not faced Clarendon since a 93-69 victory Feb. 5, 2009 as Clarendon ultimately took a hiatus from WJCAC competition but returned this year.
After beginning the year ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA and voted to win the WJCAC for a second straight season, South Plains began the season with 10 straight wins that stretch a win streak dating to last season to 46 games, tied for sixth best all-time in the NJCAA. South Plains has lost five times since New Year's Eve, however, and recently fell out of the NJCAA top-25 for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
Players to watch
No. Name Ht. Yr. Pos. Stats
2 Yanick Moreira 6-10 So. Fwd 17.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg.
4 Darrel Lucky 5-7 Fr. Guard 20 pts, 9 rebs in first start Jan. 28
10 Devonte Smith 5-10 So. Guard 6.2 ppg, 5.4 apg
34 Ryan Martin 6-8 Fr. Fwd 8.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg