LEVELLAND, Texas - The South Plains College Texans clinched the number two seed from the Western Conference as they defeated the Howard College Hawks Monday evening at the Texan Dome.

The Texans got off to a slow start as they allowed Howard to jump out to an 11-4 lead in the opening minutes of the game.  SPC then lashed out with a 13-0 scoring run that spanned six minutes to take a 17-11 lead.  Howard then pulled back to within one, 17-16 with eight minutes remaining in the half.  Over the final minutes of the half SPC outscored their opponent 18-8 to go into the locker room leading by 11 points, 35-24.

The Texans came out cold in the second half, scoring scoring only five points in the opening ten minutes of the half, which allowed the Hawks to decrease the Texan lead to 40-35.  With five minutes to go in the game, Howard's Joshua Watkins brought the Hawks to within two points of South Plains, making the score 44-42.  Hugh Mingo made a couple free throws to make it a two possesion game, but the Hawks quickly countered with another made bucket to make the score 46-44 with 3:35 remaining.  Fourteen seconds later, Hugh Mingo nailed a huge three pointer to extend the Texan lead to five.  After a defensive stop, Landon Tatum was fouled and hit both free throws to make the score 51-44.  Howard quickly inbounded the ball and got the rock into the hands of Devon Baker who hit a three point shot to get Howard within four points.  With 1:29 to go in the game a Howard player converted a free throw to make it a one possesion ball game.  SPC took the ball down the court and gave the ball back to Mingo, who hit another clutch three pointer and extend the lead back to six points with 1:18 left on the clock.  Howard had no quit in them as they pulled back to within two points, but time ran out on them as the potentially game tying shot bounced off the rim.

The win improves the Texans to 24-3 overall and 12-3 in WJCAC play.  SPC returns to action on Thursday, February 26 at the Texan Dome when they take on New Mexico Junior College in both teams regular season finale.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays contest will include a VIP reception from 6 - 7:30 p.m. for all SPC employees.  Invitations will be put in mailboxes soon and will provide every employee with free admission to both games and a meal at the reception, which is courtesy of Ameriprise Financial and Mike Mamantov.