Texans run away from Broncos to take WJCAC opener

Yanick Moreira and Kendahl Amerson led the way for the Texans (12-2, 1-0) with 14 points each.  Sophomore Anthony Walker tied his season high with 11 points.

It appeared the game might be a blowout from the beginning, as SPC raced out to a 16-point lead in the opening five minutes of the game.  The Texans cooled off a bit and NMMI eventually got to within seven before the two teams went to the locker room with South Plains leading 36-24.

The Broncos struggled to get anything going in the second half, settling for mostly free throw attempts until SPC's Anthony Walker was whistled for a questionable goal tending call with 8:48 remaining in the game.  By that time the Texans had the game well in hand with the score 57-32.

Nearly 13 minutes into the second half, South Plains finally surrendered their first made field goal when NMMI's Najee Whitehead hit a three.

SPC answered the call when Darrell Lucky popped one from beyond the arc on the Texans' next possession.

South Plains led by as many as 35 points in the game.

In their last three games combined, South Plains had made only 8-of-58 (.121) 3-point attempts.  Against the Broncos, South Plains matched those eight makes on only 17 attempts.  

The Texans now face a tough three-game stretch that will begin with Midland (10-2, 1-0) Thursday at 7:45 p.m.  Playing on the road, the Chaparrals knocked off second-ranked Howard 81-69 Monday night.

South Plains will then host Howard (12-2, 0-1) Saturday at 3 p.m. before traveling to Hobbs, N.M., for a matchup with No. 17 New Mexico JC on Monday, Jan. 14.

Mike Mamantov of Ameriprise Financial is the sponsor of Thursday's game against the Chaps.  The community is invited to join in a fajita dinner from 5-6:30 p.m. in an effort to pack the Texan Dome.  Cost of the meal is $6 for adults and $4 for children.  Kids five and under are free.

Saturday's game against the Hawks of Howard College will be sponsored by McDonald's of Levelland.  

All games will be broadcast live at www.spctexans.com and www.klvtradio.com.  

South Plains (12-2)
Terrence Durham 2-4 0-0 5, Yanick Moreira 6-8 2-2 14, Jamaal Samuel 1-2 0-0 2, Darrel Lucky 3-3 1-2 9, Devonte Smith 2-4 0-0 5, Malik Nichols 0-2 0-2 0, Kendahl Amerson 5-11 0-2 14, Roderick Lawrence 0-3 0-0 0, Brandon Neel 0-0 0-0 0, J.R. Owens 0-1 0-0 0, Ryan Martin 3-3 3-8 9, Michael Karena 1-3 2-4 4, Anthony Walker 4-7 3-3 11. Totals 27-51 11-23 73

NMMI (4-10)
Da'Shawn Suber 1-6 2-4 4, Desmond Barnes 8-16 6-7 23, Najee Whitehead 3-12 0-2 9, Serigne Mboup 0-1 1-4 1, Christian Kessee 0-0 0-0 0, Ta'Jay Henry 0-4 4-10 4, Shannon Williams 1-3 1-2 3, Mario Karailiev 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 15-44 14-29 48
SCORE BY PERIODS    1st    2nd    TOTAL
South Plains    36    37    73
           NMMI    24    24    48

FG%: South Plains .529, NMMI .333. 3-pt FG:South Plains 8-17 (Durham 1-2, Lucky 2-2, Smith 1-3, Amerson 4-9, Lawrence 0-1), NMMI 4-12 (Suber 0-2, Barnes 1-3, Whitehead 3-6, Henry 0-1). Rebounds: South Plains 42 (Moreira 7, Martin 7), NMMI 26 (Mboup 9). Fouls South Plains 23, NMMI 14. Fouled out: none. Technical: NMMI Coach. Assists: South Plains 20 (Durham 6, Smith 6), NMMI 3 (Suber 1, Whitehead 1, Mboup 1). Steals: South Plains 9 (Martin 3), NMMI 6 (Mboup 2, Henry 2). Blocked shots: South Plains 4 (Martin 2), NMMI 1 (Mboup 1). Turnovers: South Plains 18, NMMI 17.