Top-ranked Texans look to finish regular season with unblemished record

Ron Mayberry's 1990-91 squad nearly ran the table when they won their first 29 games before falling to Howard College in the regular season finale before being defeated by Howard again in the Region 5 championship game to finish the season 31-2.

A victory over the Broncos would match Mayberry's squad for consecutive wins in a season, as well as current SPC head coach Steve Green's 2002-03 team that won 29 in a row after beginning the season 2-2. Green's team advanced to the NJCAA National tournament and finished with a 31-4 record. 

Although their record may not indicate it, defeating the Broncos on their home turf may not be a simple task. New Mexico Military (12-16, 4-9) has been a tough team to beat at the Cahoon Armory Gymnasium. Playing at home against the three teams who have qualified for next month's Region 5 tournament they lost by a combined 12 points. In the WJCAC opener New Mexico squeaked by 65-63. On February 2, then tenth-ranked Odessa hung on to win 88-84. The story was similar when Howard left Roswell with an 82-76 victory on February 13. 

In their other WJCAC home games the Broncos defeated Western Texas 72-67 and lost to Frank Phillips 71-70.

The Texans, however, have shown they can endure while playing under adverse conditions on the road.

Playing in their first game as the No. 1 ranked team in the NJCAA in front of a hostile crowd at New Mexico JC, South Plains erased a four-point deficit with 20-seconds remaining to force the game into overtime. Things again looked bleak in the extra period when they were down two with just over a second remaining, but pulled out a win thanks to a buzzer beating 3 by team scoring leader Marshall Henderson.

South Plains again endured February 23 when they spotted Howard College a 15-2 lead to begin the game and a nine point lead at halftime before coming away with a 72-60 win on the road in Big Spring.

The Texans lead the WJCAC in points scored, averaging 87 points per game and holding nearly a nine-point advantage over the second best team from Odessa. The Broncos average just less than 70 points.

South Plains also ranks near the top in scoring defense, allowing only 67 points each contest, while Thursday's opponent allows 81.

Thursday's season finale is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. (CST) tip-off. Michael Wiiest will call the courtside action on KLVT 1230 AM and www.klvtradio.com. Live video will not be available for this game.