Mesa hands Texans second consecutive loss

South Plains opened the season 10-0 and was ranked No. 1 in the country at the end of the fall semester, but is lacking consistency shooting the ball as they open the second half of the season.  They had averaged nearly 84-points per game through their first 11 games and their 46-point output Wednesday is their lowest total in recent memory.

South Plains (10-2) got off on the wrong foot from the start as Mesa (12-3) raced out to a 40-22 halftime lead. 

The Texans cut their deficit to eight points in the opening minutes of the second half, but a comeback was not in the cards as Mesa steadied themselves and went on to knock off South Plains by 21 points.

Brandon Neel scored 11-points and was the only Texan in double figures.

As a team, South Plains made 21-of-55 shots from the field and struggled mightily from beyond the 3-point line making only 3-of-18 attempts.

South Plains will attempt to snap their two game losing streak when they face Chandler-Gilbert Community College at 3 p.m. Mountain Time Jan. 4.  Live stats will be available for that game at www.spctexans.com.

Following the conclusion of their three-game Arizona road trip, the Texans will begin play within the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) on Monday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time against the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos in Roswell, N.M. 

The WJCAC home opener for the Texans and Lady Texans will be Thursday, Jan. 10 against Midland College.  On Saturday, Jan. 12, South Plains will host Howard College.

South Plains (10-2)
Terrence Durham 0-0 0-0 0, Jamaal Samuel 0-0 0-0 0, Darrel Lucky 2-3 0-0 4, Devonte Smith 1-6 0-1 3, Malik Nichols 3-7 0-0 6, Kendahl Amerson 1-6 0-0 2, Roderick Lawrence4-12 0-0 9, Brandon Neel 5-12 0-0 11, J.R. Owens 0-1 0-0 0, Ryan Martin 3-3 0-2 6, Michael Karena 0-0 0-0 0, Anthony Walker 2-5 1-2 5. Totals 21-55 1-5 46