by NICK ALVARADO/Editorial Assistant
The South Plains College women’s basketball team completed a late-season push into the National Junior College Athletic Association Region V Tournament after picking up a pair of crucial wins.
After having a back-and-forth battle with Western Texas College in the first half on Feb. 25, the Lady Texans were able pull out a 59-56 victory in double overtime against the Lady Westerners to punch their ticket to the Region V Tournament, which began on March 3 in Brownwood. In order to tie for third place, SPC needed help from NMJC to defeat Howard College, and it happened with the Lady Thunderbirds pulling out the 59-51 victory.
Taylor Holley finished the night with a double-double, scoring 10 points, while shooting 31 percent from the floor, and grabbing 12 rebounds. Yanina Inkina also scored 10 points and snagged five boards. Ugochinyere Nwarie contributed nine points and 10 rebounds. Jocelyn Jeffrey led all scorers with 21 points, shooting 50 percent from the field.
After all the games finished on Feb. 25, SPC tied for third with Odessa College in the standings with a 8-6 conference record. However, due to tiebreak rules and a coin flip, the Lady Texans are seeded fourth in the Region V Tournament.
SPC Lady Texans picked up a crucial road victory against Clarendon College, 81-52, on Feb. 18. SPC once trailed 15-8 after the first quarter but responded by scoring 33 points in the second quarter and never looked back thereafter.
Inkina scored 10 points in the second quarter to help the Lady Texans in the second quarter. Turnovers were also crucial, as Clarendon turned the ball over five times, while SPC had only one turnover.
The Lady Texans finished with four players in double figures. Inkina finished the night with 21 points while shooting 8-of-11 from the floor. Nwarie scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Ramiah Henry and Dabraisia Baty scored 10 points each. Ja’Lee Carver led Clarendon College in scoring with 20 points.
The Lady Texans finished seventh in the region and third in the WJCAC in points scored per game . SPC sits in fourth in field goal percentage with 35 percent in conference play.
The Lady Texans played their first game in the Region V Tournament on March 3 at in Brownwood against Collin County Community College, the first-place team in the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference with an impressive 13-1 conference record and a 25-5 overall record. The Lady Cougars are also ranked 14th in the national poll.
If the Lady Texans win, they will play the winner of Midland College and McLennan Community College. The tournament is scheduled to end on March 5.
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