Texans come from behind on the road to claim victory over Western Texas

February 12, 2010
SNYDER, Texas - For most of the first half it looked as if the Texans (15-9, 5-5) were going to let the Westerners (13-10, 3-7) have their way with them. Even after they were able to score a few points, South Plains College found themselves down the entire first half and by as many as 21-points, 29-8, with 9:02 left to play. By the time the buzzer sounded, however, the Texans had pulled themselves to within eight points and back into the contest, thanks in large part to eight first half points scored by Tramar Sutherland and Myles Walker and seven by Winston Graham, most of which were scored during SPC's 18-5 run to end the half over the final eight minutes.

The second half saw Western Texas quickly extend their lead back to double digits when Lonnie Robinson opened the half by scoring five of his seven points in the opening minutes. After that SPC went on a 15-2 scoring run, with Sutherland scoring seven of his 21 points during that stretch, to tie the score for the first time in the contest at 41-41.

With only 3:11 left in the game, SPC point guard Josh Orta made the second of two free throws to force only the third tie of the game at 48-48.

Western Texas then took the ball down the court where Malcolm Herron missed a three point attempt, but teammate Trevor Charles bailed his teammate out by tracking down the offensive rebound and then kicking the ball out to Jeremy Jones who converted a three point attempt to give WTC a 51-48 lead.

Sutherland was then fouled by a WTC defender and he went to the line and knocked down both free throws bring his team back to within a point.

After a three point miss by Lonnie Robinson sailed off the mark, WTC teammate Jeremy Jones then fouled Orta, who also converted both free throws to give the Texans their first lead of the night, 52-51.

With 1:14 left in the contest, SPC's Victor Holloway sent Jones to the free throw line, where he made 1-of-2 attempts to tie the game. Winston Graham rebounded Jones' second attempt and passed the ball to Orta who then tried to regain the lead for the Texans but had his field goal attempt blocked and the Westerners gained possession and immediately called a timeout.

With the score tied, the Westerners took their time, looking for a good shot at the basket which came when Lester Johnson nailed a three point attempt with only 31 seconds remaining. WTC called for another timeout after taking the lead 55-52.

Now the Texans needed a clutch shot and with 18 seconds left they looked to sophomore Bo Ingram, who missed. Fortunately, the Texans maintained possession when the basketball went out of bounds after touching a WTC defender to give them another chance.

Passing the ball around, Orta found himself with the ball in his hand and let loose with a deep three point attempt that found the bottom of the net with only seconds remaining to tie the score at 55-55 and force the game into overtime.

The Texans dominated Western Texas in the extra period, outscoring them 13-3 to claim their fifth WJCAC victory, 68-58, and move back into a tie for third place with Monday's opponent, Odessa College (20-6, 5-5), in the standings. Odessa lost to Frank Phillips (18-8, 4-6) 81-69 on Thursday.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink to Monday's game versus the Wranglers as South Plains College is teaming up with Covenant Hospital of Levelland to help promote breast cancer awareness. Covenant will also raffle off a Sony blu-ray player to raise money for mammograms for women in the Levelland area. Tickets can be purchased at the main entrance of the Texan Dome for $2, or fans can buy three for $5

The Texans are scheduled to tip-off at 7:45 p.m.