No. 1 Texans quiet Bulldogs 96-71 Saturday

CLARENDON — Six Texans scored in double figures including Mareng Gatkuoth's season-high 19 points Saturday as No. 1 South Plains pounded Clarendon College 96-71 at Bulldog Gymnasium.

The Texans improve to 14-0 on the year and 9-0 in conference play and will be on the road Monday in Roswell to take on New Mexico Military Institute at 6:30 p.m. MDT.

South Plains shot 43.8 percent (32-73) from the floor and 44.4 percent (12-27) from distance while forcing the Bulldogs to shoot just 27.8 percent (22-79) for the game and 28.6 percent (8-28) from the 3-point line. Gatkuoth finished 7 of 13 from the floor and 5 of 8 from 3 over 36 minutes.

Jevonnie Scott posted 16 points and eight boards, knocking down 5 of 12 shots, while Yuot Gai netted 15 points on 6 of 6 shooting and was 3 of 4 from the free throw line. Sophomore Myron Gardner provided 14 points and 10 boards coming off the bench while Philmon Gebrewhit scored in double figures for the fifth consecutive game, pouring in 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting.

Jakobe Dill led the Bulldogs with 17 points and three rebounds, while Ibn Loyal had 14 points and five boards. BJ Simmons finished with 11 points over 34 minutes for Clarendon and Zarique Nutter had 10 points and four rebounds.

South Plains continues to hold a one game lead over Odessa for the conference lead and will close out a stint of four games in eight days on Monday night in Roswell. The Texans will play their final two homes game beginning on March 20 against NMMI and will square off with Midland on March 25 at the Dome. The Texans will cap the regular season with trips to Frank Phillips on March 29 and travel to Odessa on April 1.