Texans Defeat Hot Shooting Plainsmen

February 19, 2009

BORGER, Texas - Frank Phillips College was 2-8 coming into Thursday nights game, but for much of the game they played like an 8-2 team against the SPC Texans, shooting over 62-percent from the field, and 60-percent from beyond the arc in the first half alone. Fortunately, the Texans had fairly hot hands as well.

In the first 4 ½ minutes of the game the Texans and Plainsmen were gunning up and down the court and tied 9-9. Hugh Mingo then made a three point attempt that was quickly answered by FPC's Rashaun Mclemore. With the score 12-12, went on an 18-7 scoring run on the fifth ranked Texans and led 30-19 midway through the first half. SPC then went on a 5-0 run to get within six, but the Plainsmen stretched that lead back to 11 with seven minutes remaining. Over the final minutes of the half, SPC outscored the Plainsmen 20-11 to go to the locker room down by two points, 46-44.

Landon Tatum opened the second half by hitting the second of his three shots from beyond the arc, giving the Texans their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. The game stayed close and went back and forth over the next few minutes, which is when Frank Phillips tried to take control of the game. Up 54-53, South Plains allowed Frank Phillips to go on an 8-0 run to take a seven point lead with 12:28 left in the game. The Texans got rolling by hammering out a 15-0 run over the next five minutes to retake the lead 69-63 and would not allow the Plainsmen to come any closer as they cruised to an 87-72 victory.

The Texans had five players score in double figures, led by point guard Landon Tatum who scored 19 points and dished out eight assists. Hugh Mingo scored 18 points, David Tairu added 16, Tramar Sutherland had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Markhuri Sanders-Frison scored 12, pulled down six rebounds, and the big man dished out a season high seven assists.

The win improves the Texans to 11-3 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference action and 23-3 overall.

South Plains will return to the Texan Dome on Monday, February 23 when they face Howard College with a 7:30 p.m. tip. Holiday Inn Express of Levelland is sponsoring the game and have donated shirts that will be thrown to the crowd. Holiday Inn general manager Terry Castro has also chosen to help stimulate the local economy by donating $250.00 gift certificates from area merchants. On behalf of Holiday Inn, the SPC Athletic Department will raffle off a $250.00 gift certificate from Atchison Jewelry at halftime of the Lady Texan game, as well as a $250.00 gift certificate from Ace Hardware at halftime of the Texan game. A certificate for a free nights stay at the Holiday Inn Express will be given away at each half as well.

The game will be broadcasted live on KLVT 1230 AM and www.hprnetwork.com.