Moriera leads the way as Texans knock off Ranger 97-80 in season opener

Moreira – MVP of last season's NJCAA national tournament – helped the Texans overcome a lackluster first half, pouring in 18 points.

South Plains found themselves in a hole early and were down by as many as nine points with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

As the clock ticked down to the final few minutes, the Texans finally found a rhythm.

Down 40-32, Malik Nichols helped the Texans capitalize off of two Ranger turnovers, first finishing his own steal and then making a bucket and drawing a foul following a steal byKendahl Amerson.  Nichols completed the three-point play to cut the deficit to three.

Soon after, the Texans went on a 9-0 run that saw them take their first lead of the game and eventually head to the locker room with a three point lead, 50-47.

South Plains did not lose any of the momentum they had gained when the teams returned from the locker rooms, blasting out to a 14 point lead in less than four minutes with a 13-2 run to start the half.

The Texans led by as many as 18 and no less than 13 on their way to a decisive victory.

Moreira made 14-of-24 shots from the field on the way to his career night and received significant help from his teammates as four others scored in double figures.

Freshman Ryan Martin had an impressive debut with the Texans, making 7-of-11 shots and finishing with 18 points while also pulling down 12 rebounds.

Devonte Smith -  South Plains' floor general – tied his career high from a year ago with 16 points.  Smith was 4-of-7 from the field and 8-of-10 from the charity stripe while also dishing out eight assists and snagging five steals.

Amerson and Nichols each chipped in with 13 points.

The Texans return to the court Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. when they square off with Monterrey Tech, again in Odessa.  Live video of the contest will be streamed live at www.spctexans.com.

Ranger vs. South Plains
Ranger (0-2)
Markens Charles 4-12 5-6 13, Bryan Martinez 5-8 0-0 13, Kendall Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Jerry Coriolan 2-3 0-0 6, Rafael Farley 3-9 2-2 9, Trelle Lewis 3-10 0-0 6, Tylor Okari-Ongwae 6-14 5-5 19, Kristian Medina Cruz 1-2 0-0 2, Tyler Jacobs 1-3 0-0 2, Caleb Freemaster 0-1 0-0 0, Keynan Willis 1-3 2-2 4, Omari Mulumba-Gudul 1-3 2-2 4. Totals 27-68 16-17 78

South Plains (1-0)
Terrence Durham 2-5 0-2 5, Yanick Moreira 14-24 4-4 32, Darrel Lucky 0-0 0-0 0, Devonte Smith 4-7 8-10 16, Malik Nichols 4-4 5-7 13, Kendahl Amerson 4-8 2-4 13, Roderick Lawrence 0-0 0-0 0, Brandon Neel 0-1 0-2 0, J.R. Owens 0-1 0-0 0, Ryan Martin 7-11 4-7 18, Michael Karena 0-0 0-0 0, Anthony Walker 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-62 23-36 97

FG%: Ranger .406, South Plains .565. 3-pt FG:Ranger 8-24 (Charles 0-1, Martinez 3-6, Coriolan 2-2, Farley 1-7, Lewis 0-4, Okari-Ongwae 2-3, Freemaster 0-1), South Plains 4-13 (Durham 1-3, Moreira 0-2, Smith 0-1, Amerson 3-6, Neel 0-1). Rebounds: Ranger 34 (TEAM 11), South Plains 44 (Martin 12). Fouls Ranger 21, South Plains 18. Fouled out: Okari-Ongwae . Technical: Okari-Ongwae. Assists: Ranger 9 (Charles 3), South Plains 16 (Smith 8). Steals: Ranger 7 (Charles 3), South Plains 10 (Smith 5). Blocked shots: Ranger 0, South Plains 5 (Moreira 3). Turnovers: Ranger 16, South Plains 16.