By Kati Moody
The South Plains College Lady Texans closed out the regular season on a high note, picking up two crucial victories over Odessa College and Midland College. With strong performances on both ends of the floor, the Lady Texans now shift their focus to the NJCAA Region V Tournament, where they will compete for a chance to earn a spot in the national tournament.
Head Coach Ara Baten reflected on his team’s resilience in the final stretch of the season, particularly their ability to handle pressure and perform in challenging environments.
"We had a really good final two or three weeks of the season, won some really difficult games, won some games on the road in tough environments against teams that were kind of fighting for postseason positions," Baten said. "I thought we played really well in spots but, more importantly, competed well when it mattered most."
The Lady Texans set the tone early in their 58-51 road victory over Odessa College, executing a balanced offensive attack while maintaining a strong defensive presence. South Plains shot 37.9 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from three-point range, relying on their defensive intensity and rebounding to grind out the win.
Taliah Cornish led the scoring effort with 15 points, adding three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, showing her ability to deliver in key moments. Isabel Joao was dominant inside, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, providing critical defensive stops. Bella Belong matched Joao’s scoring total with 13 points, while adding eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals, demonstrating her versatility on both ends of the floor.
Despite a sluggish shooting night from beyond the arc, the Lady Texans’ defensive pressure and rebounding dominance allowed them to control the tempo. Odessa College made a late push, but South Plains forced multiple turnovers in the closing minutes to seal the victory.
Coach Baten credited the team’s relentless effort and execution down the stretch for the win.
"I think execution has been steadily getting better as the season's gone along," Baten said. "Our kids play hard—that’s something that has been the case since the beginning of the season. They rebound hard, they defend hard, and that’s probably as big a reason as any that we’ve had some of the success that we’ve had."
In their regular-season finale, the Lady Texans overcame a slow start to defeat Midland College 72-62, using a dominant second half to pull away. South Plains shot 39.4 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range, but it was their aggressive rebounding and defensive execution that allowed them to maintain control.
Taliah Cornish once again led the charge, scoring a game-high 20 points, while adding one rebound and two assists, showcasing her ability to take over when needed. Chisom Oguego controlled the glass, securing 10 rebounds while adding eight points and two assists, ensuring South Plains remained competitive on second-chance opportunities.
Bella Belong contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, while Dilangue Cruz added 13 points and one rebound off the bench, giving the Lady Texans an extra offensive boost. Isabel
Joao also chipped in with eight rebounds, seven points, and five assists, keeping the offense fluid and creating scoring opportunities.
After leading by just two at halftime, the Lady Texans outscored Midland by 10 points in the second half, using defensive pressure and timely scoring runs to build a comfortable lead. Coach Baten emphasized the importance of staying locked in for 40 minutes, especially with the postseason approaching.
The Lady Texans now turn their attention to the NJCAA Region V Tournament, where they will open play against Collin County at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Coach Baten acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly against a Collin County squad that is the defending Region V champion.
"They’re good," Baten said. "They’ve got a really good defense, a balanced roster, and their coach has been there a long time. He’s one of the better coaches in our region and has had a lot of success. We’ve got our hands full."
While the Lady Texans did not face Collin County in the regular season, Baten knows the matchup will be tough.
"We played them in the region tournament last year, and they beat us," he noted. "They’ve improved since then, and so have we. It’s going to be a battle."
When asked about his team’s mindset heading into the win-or-go-home tournament, Baten stressed the importance of focusing on the task at hand.
"We just need to focus on the opponent that we have in front of us," he said. "At the beginning of the week, we talk about the tournament, what to expect, and all that. But now, we transition into just focusing on our next opponent. If we win that one, we get another game. And if we win that one, we get one more. That’s how we have to approach this."
No matter the outcome, Baten expressed his pride in his team.
"I’m really proud of our kids," he said. "They’ve been a great group to coach. They take care of business away from basketball, they’re good students, they want to be students, and I’ve really enjoyed coaching this particular team. It’s been a lot of fun."
With a balanced offensive approach, a strong defensive presence, and a hunger to compete, the Lady Texans are primed for a deep postseason run.