by STEVEN GEHEGAN//Sports Editor
The South Plains College men’s basketball team has continued their winning ways into Western Junior College Athletic Conference play.
The Texans took on Howard College on Jan. 19 at Texan Dome. They won, 93 – 72, after shooting 40 percent from three-point line.
The Texans opened up the first half with a 31-15 run, before Howard College cut into their lead before half-time. They closed game with a 14-5 run to push the lead out of reach.
After a slow first half, sophomore guard Jordan Brangers led the Texans in scoring with 30 points, knocking down eight of 15 three-point attempts, with six of his makes coming in the second half. Tripp chipped in 16 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and adding 10 rebounds.
Two other players scored in double figures. Sophomore Roberto Gallinat added 13 points while hitting seven of nine free throws. Sophomore guard Josh Webster added 10 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and one steal.
The Texans, currently ranked No. 1 in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association national poll, took on New Mexico Military Institute on Jan. 16 in Roswell, in a defensive struggle before pulling away for a 67 – 48 victory.
The Texans struggled from the field, shooting 30 percent and 20 percent from the three-point line during the first-half. Brangers and Tripp scored 16 of the 28 first-half points, the lowest first-half total this season. SPC heated up in the second half, shooting 51 percent to secure the victory.
Freshman Jahlil Tripp led all scorers with 17 points while shooting 54 percent from the field. He also contributed 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Brangers scored 14 points while shooting 60 percent, and Webster had 12 points and four assists. The Texans were able to gain a 40-28 lead in the first half, before the Wranglers battled back to a score of 54-42 at half time.
The Texans took on New Mexico Junior College on Jan. 12 in Hobbs, winning in blown-out fashion, 105 – 60, while shooting 53.9 percent from the field. They also held NMJC to 32 percent shooting and out-rebounded them 48 to 34.
Brangers led all scorers with 24 points, knocking down five threes. Sophomore Grantham Gillard scored 17 points while shooting 60 percent and grabbing six rebounds. Webster also chipped in seven rebounds and seven assists.
Three players also scored in double figures. Red shirt freshman Raquan Mitchell tallied 14 points, while Gallinat chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds, and freshman Shawntrez Davis added 10 points and five rebounds.
The Texans took on Odessa College on Jan. 9 at home, prevailing in a high-scoring game, 101 – 88.
Tripp led the Texans in scoring with 26 points, making seven of 10 free throws. He also added four assists and three steals. Webster scored 14 points, shooting 64 percent from the field, and chipping in six rebounds and four assists.
Two other players scored in double figures. Brangers tossed in 21 points, and Gallinat chipped in 13 points and five rebounds.
[Photo by DOMINICK PUENTE/PLAINSMAN PRESS]
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