LEVELLAND, Texas—The South Plains College Lady Texans fell to West Texas Drive 81-68 on Wednesday night at the Texan Dome.

Jasauen Beard, a sophomore transfer from Oral Roberts University led all scorers with 21 points and six rebounds in her debut for the Lady Texans. Elizabeth Cera, a 5-8 guard from Levelland finished with 13 points for South Plains, while Brittany Smith chipped in nine points, while also hauling in five rebounds, dished out five assists and had four steals.

Ashley James led West Texas Drive with 11 points and six rebounds, while Kelsey Hoppel, Kelsey Canavan and Mica Curtis-Wilson each had 10 points.

West Texas drive went on an 8-2 run to begin the game and took a 36-24 lead into the locker room at halftime after shooting 42 percent from the 3-point line in the first half. After shooting just 25 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, the Lady Texans shot 51 percent from the floor in the final two quarters, as they trimmed the deficit to just seven when Taylor Holley connected on a three from the right wing to bring the score to 36-29 with 8:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Beard would eventually cut that lead to just five after a steal at midcourt, finishing at the rim with 7:24 left in the third to bring the score to 37-32. West Texas Drive would eventually take a 10-point, 58-48 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Lady Texans were once again able to trim that lead to just six when Cera converted at the rim while also being fouled on the play, knocking down the free-throw to make it a three-point play, cutting the deficit to 65-59 with 5:36 remaining,

Despite a valiant comeback attempt from South Plains, West Texas Drive was able to control the final five minutes of the contest and escape with a win. The Lady Texans will look to bounce back this weekend when they host the SPC Classic at the Texan Dome in Levelland beginning on Nov. 4. South Plains will tipoff at 7 p.m. on Friday against Trinidad State Junior College.