Texans return to action at Fiesta Bowl JC Shootout

MESA, Ariz. – The NJCAA No. 2-ranked South Plains College Texans will return to the hardwood Friday, Dec. 27 when they play the Central Arizona College Vaqueros in the first round of the Fiesta Bowl Junior College shootout, hosted by Mesa College.

South Plains (12-0, 1-0 WJCAC) will certainly see competition that will prepare them for the conference road that lies ahead during the months of January and February as the three-day tournament features three teams in the NJCAA top-15.  The eight-team field combines for an overall record of 85-17. 

South Plains and Central Arizona (6-5) are scheduled for a 2 p.m. MST tipoff Friday afternoon.  If the Texans are able to get by the Vaqueros they will face the winner of the 4 p.m. matchup between No. 12-ranked Monroe (10-0) and No. 14-ranked Salt Lake (12-1) at 8 p.m. Saturday. 

Salt Lake has won two of the past three Fiesta Bowl JC shootouts hosted by Mesa Community College and is also the same school the Texans defeated in the 2008 NJCAA Tournament Championship game. 

Other teams participating in the tournament include host school Mesa; San Bernardino (CA); Williston State (ND); and Laramie College (WY). 

South Plains' next home game is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 6 when the Texans host Howard College in a conference clash at 7:45 p.m. inside the Texan Dome.