Texans and Lady Texans return to action this evening

February 21, 2011

LEVELLAND, Texas - The South Plains College Texan and Lady Texan basketball teams return to the hardwood this evening, but will be traveling to separate venues as the SPC women have a non-conference matchup with Clarendon and the Texans play New Mexico Military in a critical conference matchup. Both games are slated for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off, though the men are playing in the Mountain Time zone.

Entering their non-conference game, the Lady Texans (17-8, 7-4) are 11/2 games ahead of both Howard College (20-8, 5-5) and New Mexico Junior College (19-8, 5-5) for third place in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC). Howard travels to second place Odessa College (17-10, 7-3) tonight, while New Mexico hits the road to Frank Phillips.

The Lady Texans can secure a spot in next month's Region 5 tournament with losses from either Howard or New Mexico.

If both teams win tonight, it will make the Lady Texans' regular season finale against New Mexico Junior College the most important game of the season as a loss could potentially knock them out.

The Texans (15-12, 4-8) are currently tied for fifth place in the WJCAC standings with Western Texas (18-9, 4-8) and one game behind New Mexico Junior College (18-8, 5-7) for the fourth and final spot. South Plains will need a win over New Mexico Military to set up a potential matchup against the Thunderbirds to claim the fourth spot.

Western Texas, however, could throw a wrench in everything if they were to upset No. 6 ranked Midland College tonight and then defeat New Mexico Military on Thursday.

HPRN's Michael Wiiest will call the courtside action for the Texan game on KLVT 1230 AM and www.hprnetwork.com. No video feed will be available for this game.