Lady Texans top Clarendon 64-54 to capture Region V title, secure automatic bid to National Tournament

LUBBOCK — The South Plains College women's basketball team is headed back to the NJCAA Women's Basketball National Tournament after defeating Clarendon College 64-54 to capture the Region V title Saturday at Frenship High School's Tiger Pit.

The Lady Texans have now won three consecutive region championships and will make their fourth consecutive appearance at the National Tournament. The National Tournament will take place March 16-21 at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, hosting the country's top 24 teams vowing for the national crown. The 24-team bracket will be revealed on Sunday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET during the NJCAA Selection Show on the NJCAA Network.

The Lady Texans clawed their way to the regional finals following wins over Grayson and New Mexico Junior College, setting up a rubber match with the Lady Bulldogs. The two teams split during conference play.

Sophomore Raija Todd went off for 23 points, four boards, and three assists over 34 minutes, dropping in 8 of 17 shots from the field and was 4 of 11 from distance. Celia Sumbane netted 19 points and seven boards, connecting on 7 of 15 shots from the floor over 31 minutes.

Matilda Soderlund chipped in 10 points coming off the bench for South Plains as the Lady Texans shot a 38.2 percent clip from the floor and were 33.3 percent from distance.

Clarendon was led by Mah Minthe who totaled 17 points and three boards while Aileen Marquez bucketed 14 points over 30 minutes. Clarendon shot just 27.4 percent from the floor and was 6 of 22 from the 3-point line.