Texans Rally In Final Minutes To Defeat NMJC

Texans Rally In Final Minutes To Defeat NMJC
January 27, 2009
Hobbs, N.M. - The South Plains College Texans improved to 6-2 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference action by defeating New Mexico Junior College 77-70 Monday night.  The victory moves South Plains a full game ahead of New Mexico Junior College, and possibly into sole possession of second place in the conference standings depending on the outcome of the Western Texas College vs Clarendon College game.  WTC began the day with a 5-2 WJCAC record.
The Texans and Thunderbirds played close for the first several minutes of the first half before SPC went on a run that put them up by as many as twelve points.  New Mexico then applied a full court press in the final few minutes of the half that helped them shrink their deficit to five points at intermission, 41-36.  
Seeing the success the full court pressure had at the end of the first half, New Mexico began the second half blanketing the Texans every time SPC had to inbound the ball.  

This helped New Mexico begin the second half on a 25-7 run and take a thirteen point lead in the second half.  The Texans did not lie down and eventually found a way to break through the full court defense of NMJC and began to claw their way back into the game, thanks to several clutch shots by David Tairu, Hugh Mingo, and Tramar Sutherland.  With less than two minutes to go, the Texans regained the lead and played solid defense, eventually forcing NMJC to foul.  With 17 seconds to go in the game, Hugh Mingo made two free throws to put the game out of reach at 77-70, which turned out to be the final score.

David Tairu led the Texans with 21 points.  Hugh Mingo added 19 points and seven rebounds, while Tramar Sutherland scored 15 points, just missing his season high of 19.  Sutherland also added seven rebounds for the Texans.  Landon Tatum dished out 10 assists, while also scoring six points and snagging four rebounds.
The Texans return to action Thursday night when Western Texas College visits the Texan Dome.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be aired live on KLVT 1230 AM and www.hprnetwork.com.

Best Western Inn and Suites of Levelland is sponsoring Thursday nights Texan and Lady Texan games and have donated T-shirts to be thrown to the crowd, as well as two apple ipod touches that will be won by a lucky SPC student at halftime of the Lady Texan game as well as the Texan game.