Texans survive scare from Hill

Roderick Lawrence hit a 3-point goal with 6.8 seconds left Saturday, lifting No. 1 South Plains College past Hill College 73-72 and giving the Texans their 46th win in a row. It came in the final game of the two-day Texan Classic.

"The streak continues. It continues," SPC coach Steve Greensaid, then laughed. "It'll continue for at least three more weeks, because we don't play again until December 31."

Lawrence, a freshman guard from Orlando, Fla., made his shot from the left corner after the Texans called a timeout with 14 seconds left to set up a play. After Lawrence's go-ahead bucket and another timeout, Hill moved the ball up the court and missed a contested shot at the end.

Lawrence's game-winner was one of two big 3s for the Texans, who finished 3 for 18 from long range for the game. South Plains trailed 71-67 before Devonte Smith made a 3 in the final minute to get the Texans within a point.

South Plains then fouled, and Tramique Sutherland made one of two free throws, pushing Hill's lead to 72-70 with 14 seconds left.

Smith, one of two starters back from last season's 36-0 national champion, is a pass-first point guard. His taking a 3 isn't that common.

"He never shoots them, and he never makes them," Green said. "But we had to have it, and he made it."

P.J. Lockridge and Javonte Douglas scored 12 points apiece for Hill (8-5), and Sutherland finished with 11. The Rebels were the 10th opponent to stay within single digits of SPC during the Texans' 46-game streak, which dates to the start of last season.

"We were very, very fortunate," Green said. "They really were better than I thought, and (SPC) guys that made shots the night before didn't realize they weren't making them tonight."

Sophomore center Yanick Moreira had 17 points and nine rebounds for South Plains, though he played only 20 minutes because of foul trouble. Forwards Ryan Martin and Michael Karena finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively, and guard Brandon Neel added 10.