Texan Mosaic

by: NICK ALVARADO/Editorial Assistant

The South Plains College women’s basketball team is in a battle for an NJCAA Region V tournament spot with the season winding down.

In the final home game of the season, the Lady Texans pulled out a crucial victory against Howard College, 57-50, on Feb. 15. In the fourth quarter, SPC closed the game with a 22-12 run. Yanina Inkina led the team with 16 points, while Jasmyne Martin was close behind with 14 points and nine rebounds. Taylor Holley chipped in nine points on the night.

With the victory, the Lady Texans are still contenders for the postseason and have a chance to place third in the WJCAC.

SPC was in fifth place with a 6-6 conference record and 18-10 overall record after games being played on Feb. 16. Howard College was in third after the loss to SPC with a 7-5 conference record. Odessa College was in fourth with a 6-5 conference record, a half game ahead of the Lady Texans. With crucial games down the stretch, a loss on any game day could be the one that could end their season.

The Lady Texans faced a tough task in Hobbs, N.M. on Feb. 8, as they faced New Mexico Junior College, which was ranked ninth nationally in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll.

SPC raced to a 16-9 lead after the first quarter, with Ugochinyere Nwarie leading all scorers at the time with six points and shooting three-for-three from the field. The Lady Thunderbirds would come back in the second quarter to cut the SPC lead to four points, but the Lady Texans remained in the lead, 27-23, at halftime.

In the second half, SPC started with five turnovers, and Alana da Silva helped the Lady Thunderbirds come back to beat the Lady Texans, 65-55. Brittany Smith also had a great showing in the fourth quarter with 12 points, as she finished with 18 points on the night to lead the Lady Texans. Silva led all scorers with 22 points.

As part of Homecoming on Feb. 4, the Lady Texans faced off against then- No. 23 Odessa College Lady Wranglers. The first and second quarters were the same score, with 14 for the Lady Texans and 11 points for OC. SPC led 28-22 at the half.

The Lady Wranglers were held to nine points in the fourth quarter, as the Lady Texans blew past Odessa College, 58-42, for a crucial victory to keep Region V tournament hopes alive.

The Lady Texans took the road to play against Clarendon College on Feb. 18. Results were not available at press time.

Only one game remains on the season for the Lady Texans as they battle for a Region 5 tournament berth. They travel to Western Texas College on Feb. 25.