Late Surge by WTC Comes Up Short Against Clarendon

Clarendon, TX — Anesu Dehwe finished with a season-high 28 points as Western Texas College (10–9, 2–3) mounted a late comeback after trailing by as many as 18 points, cutting the deficit to 77–74 with 28 seconds remaining against the Clarendon Bulldogs (9–10, 2–3).

How We Got There

Clarendon opened the game on a 10–0 run before Khedit Gatluak scored the Westerners' first points with a layup at the 15:40 mark. WTC began to settle midway through the first half behind Dehwe, who connected on multiple three-pointers to keep the Westerners within striking distance. Despite improved offensive flow late in the half, Clarendon closed strong and took a 40–27 lead into halftime.

The Westerners responded with urgency coming out of the break. Justin McCall knocked down back-to-back three-pointers early in the second half to spark the rally, and WTC continued to chip away with balanced scoring and improved defensive pressure.

Western Texas College trimmed the lead to 69–67 with just over four minutes remaining, turning the contest into a possession-by-possession battle. Clarendon answered with timely baskets and free throws down the stretch to hold off the comeback and secure the 79–74 victory.

By the Numbers

• 2 — Smallest margin late, as WTC cut the deficit to 74–77 with 28 seconds remaining

• 24 — Season-low rebounds for Western Texas College
  28 — Season-high points by Anesu Dehwe

• 11 — Points and 10 rebounds by Calven Charles (double-double)

Notes

• Western Texas College trailed by as many as 18 points before the late push.

• Justin McCall's second-half shooting provided a key spark in the comeback effort.

• Clarendon's rebounding and free-throw efficiency proved decisive late.

• WTC scored 47 points in the 2nd half. 

Upcoming:

The Westerns will now head to Levelland, TX to face South Plains College Monday January 26th at 7:30 PM.