Prim scores 26 as No. 7 Texans rout Western Texas 98-68 Monday

LEVELLAND — Gaige Prim netted 26 points and eight boards as No. 7 South Plains improved to 11-3 in conference play with a 98-68 rout of Western Texas College Monday at the Texan Dome.

With the win, South Plains improves to 22-4 on the year and 8-1 at home this season. The Texans will be off on Thursday before returning home for a conference matchup with Clarendon on Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Dome.

"I thought the first 20 minutes we played really well," South Plains head coach Steve Green said. "I think it was enough to win the game tonight. We controlled the glass, passed the ball and found good shots, and I thought the first half for us, we should take that film and stick it in a time capsule. We visited in the dressing room before the game that the teams that win in March have to get on a role, and in the first half I thought we did that and looked good."

The Texans shot 66.7 percent from the floor in the contest including a 75 percent clip in the front half as four players scored in double figures. Prim finished 8 of 9 from the field in the first 20 minutes, bucketing 18 points before the break.

"We were moving the ball with three and four passes and trying to work the ball to both sides of the court and get easy buckets," Prim said. "I guess there was somewhat of a physical mismatch and I just tried to do what I do and dominate as much as I could."

Sophomore Chris Orlina poured in 17 points and 10 rebounds, dropping in 7 of 9 attempts from the floor and dished out four assists. Charles Jennings chipped in 15 points off the bench for the Texans, knocking down 4 of 7 shots from the floor and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

"I think we came out with a hot start and pushed the pace well tonight," Orlina said. "If we start like that and play that way every night we have a chance to win every game. Coach Green puts a big emphasis on coming out ready to, and we were able to do that and perform tonight. We're rolling and trying to get a team effort, and that's our main focus right now."

South Plains' Trey Wade tallied 13 points and five rebounds on 6 of 9 shooting from the floor while Jonah Antonio netted nine points and five assists. The Texans forced 13 turnovers resulting in 26 points on the offensive end and had their win inside, recording 58 points inside the paint and received 44 points off the bench.

Western Texas (12-12, 4-9) shot 45.6 percent from the field and were 5 of 16 from the 3-point line. Miles McDougal led the Westerners with 17 points and three boards while Jevon Brown dropped in 15 points and Corey Thelisme netted eight points and three assists.