LUBBOCK, Texas - After advancing to their fourth Region 5 championship final in five years, the South Plains College Lady Texans hoped to do something they have not since the 2004-05 season and advance to the NJCAA national tournament in Salina, Kan. South Plains came up on the wrong end of a 68-59 final versus No. 4 ranked Midland College.

After SPC's Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) most valuable player, Sajoyia Griffin, was whistled for her third foul less than 14 minutes into the game most would think the Lady Texans might have been doomed, even with an 18-11 lead.

Lorie Romaine, who had already scored seven points when Griffin was forced to the bench, added eight more before intermission to lead the Lady Texans to a 33-27 halftime lead.

Griffin entered the game to start the second half and 25 seconds in nailed a deep three opposite the scoring table to put SPC up by nine points, 36-27. Two minutes later, however, Griffin was forced back to the bench when officials called her for a fourth personal foul with her team leading 40-31.

Romaine then gave the Lady Texans a double-digit lead when she turned a Midland College turnover into two points.

After each team had unsuccessful trips up and down the court, Romaine fouled Midland's Erika Warren as she was in process of attempting a shot which found its target to setup a three point opportunity for the Lady Chaps. Warren converted the free throw, sparking an 18-6 scoring run that gave Midland a 49-48 lead with just under 11 minutes remaining in the game.

The Lady Texans regained the advantage when Kelsey Canavan scored on consecutive trips down the court, once in the paint and the other a baseline jumper with Romaine assisting on both scores.

After Warren cut the SPC lead to a single point, 52-51, Romaine lost the ball to Midland's Lauren Mansfield and then fouled the Midland player, sending her to the free throw line. Mansfield hit 1-of-2 to tie the game 52-52.

Midland would go on to outscore SPC 16-6 over the final 8:30 to deny the Lady Texans a trip to Kansas.

Romaine led SPC with a SPC career high of 23 points, and Canavan just missed her third double-double of the tournament when she finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Griffin added 11 points and six rebounds and finished the tournament averaging nearly 18 points per game.

The Lady Texans finish the season with 20 wins and 10 defeats.