ODESSA, Texas - The seventh ranked South Plains College Texans won their fifth straight game to improve to 8-2 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference play, defeating the team that handed them their first loss, 50-47.  The win also puts the Texans in a tie for first atop the conference standings as Midland College lost on a buzzer beating three-pointer to New Mexico Junior College to fall to 8-2 in the WJCAC.  New Mexico improves to 6-3, and Western Texas was 6-3 coming into Monday nights contest against NMMI.


The first half was a low scoring defensive struggle as their was 25 turnovers and 13 steals between the two teams.  Odessa scored the first four points of the game, but that was the largest lead either team would get.  Just passed the halfway point of the first half, SPC got its first lead of the game on a Hugh Mingo jump shot, making it 9-8.  Both teams proceeded to scratch and claw, with each taking a three point lead over the other during the final nine minutes of the half.  SPC finally went into halftime with a 24-22 lead.

The second half saw SPC score the first two buckets to take a six point lead, the largest of the game.  Odessa then went on an 8-0 run to regain the lead, 30-28. 

With 2:24 left in the ballgame, Odessa tied it up for the ninth tie of the game, 45-45.  Neither team scored until the 1:08 mark when Markhuri Sanders-Frison rebounded his own missed layup and put it back to put the Texans up 47-45.  45 seconds later, David Tairu stole the ball from Odessa's D'Andre Williams, who then fouled Tairu to send him to the line.  Tairu made two free throws to extend the lead to four points.  After the made free throws, Coach Steve Green called a timeout to talk to his team.  After the timeout, Odessa inbounded the ball and hurried down the court.  D'Andre Williams cut through a couple of Texans and moved in for a layup, made it, and was fouled by Tramar Sutherland to set up a three point play.  Williams missed the free throw and Markhuri Sanders-Frison pulled down the last of his 11 rebounds and was quickly fouled.  With the score 49-47, Sanders made the first, but missed the second attempt.  Odessa's Justin Najera grabbed the rebound with five seconds left and passed it up the court to a teammate who could not get the game tying shot off before the buzzer sounded, ending the game with the Texans up 50-47.

The Texans return to the hardwood on Thursday, February 5 when they face Clarendon College in their homecoming game.  The Texans defeated the Bulldogs 105-64 the last time they played on January 8. 

At halftime of the men's game, the SPC athletic department will have a drawing for a trip to Las Vegas, Nev., courtesy of International Tours and Cruises of Levelland.  The trip includes airfare and lodging for two people, for two days and three nights.  You have to be in attendance to win, so come out and support the Texans when they face Clarendon College.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be aired live on KLVT 1230 AM and online at www.hprnetwork.com.