Jermahri Hill drops 21, #1 Texans clip Bulldogs 79-71 Monday

CLARENDON — Jermahri Hill scored a game-high 21 points as the top-ranked South Plains College men's basketball team topped Clarendon 79-71 on the road Monday at Bulldog Gymnasium.

South Plains improves to 26-0 on the season and 12-0 in league play and can clinch at least a share of the conference title with a win at Howard on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The contest will stream live at spctexans.com.

"We knew coming into the game it wasn't going to be easy winning on the road," Hill said. "We tried to attack from the opening tip, and we had an extreme focus on the defensive end and slowing them down. Our coaches are always on us about playing defense, and we know we can score, so defensively, we have to bring that intensity every night."

Jalen Hampton poured in 19 points to go along with five boards over 32 minutes, while Maique Ewin netted 16 points and nine rebounds. Kerwin Prince finished with 12 points and eight boards as the Texans shot a 38 percent clip from the field.

"Clarendon is a talented team, and this was a huge win for us," South Plains head coach Hayden Sowers said. "I thought our guys were as focused as they have been all year. The zone really helped us in the second half, and Jermahri Hill just took over the game down the stretch. The sacrifice Kerwin and Jalen have made to come here, and the production they are having, and they really impact winning, and its going to work out for them.

"I've said all year we can be an elite defensive team. We're long, we're athletic, and to our guys credit, they just continue to find ways to win. I told our guys they have had 26 teams line up against them, and nobody has beat them. We have to continue to trust the process and get better."