Highlanders fall in OT
The McLennan Highlanders fell to the Richland Thunderducks 86-80 in overtime on Monday night in Dallas.
McLennan opened the game on a 6-0 run with back-to-back 3-pointers by Alex Mills. The Highlanders led 12-11 with 13:20 to play in the first half. They used a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to extend the lead to eight, 19-11. The Thunderducks responded with a 11-2 run to take the 22-21 lead, their first of the game, with 7:42 remaining in the half. Richland held the 39-33 advantage at the break.
The Highlanders opened the second half on an 8-0 run to take the 41-39 lead with 16:52 to play in the game. The teams traded baskets for the next four minutes. Richland led 47-45 with 12:38 to go. McLennan pulled away with a 13-0 run, taking its first double-digit lead at 58-47 with 9:59 on the clock. The Thunderducks fought back, tying the game at 70 with 4.4 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
Richland outscored McLennan by six, including going 12-14 from the free-throw line in the extra period, to steal the win.
Jalen Jones led the Highlanders with 22 points. Mills and Elijah Mayes added 15 and 10, respectively.
McLennan returns to action on Dec. 30, hosting Angelina at 7 p.m.
McLennan: Rashaan Surles 2 0-0 4; Jalen Jones 6 9-10 22; Elijah Mayes 2 5-6 10; James Harrison 2 2-2 8; Alex Mills 5 2-2 15; Ricardo Artis 2 2-2 6; Jeff Beverly 2 1-2 5; Ben Brown-White 1 0-0 2; Aundre Jackson 3 2-2 8; Totals: 25 23-26 80.
Richland: Brandon Woods 2 0-0 5; Trey Hall 1 7-9 10; Ishmael Donzo 4 10-13 18; Torrence Cooper 20-0 5; Trevon Jeffrey 5 0-0 10; Terrance Cooper 3 2-4 11; K.D. Moore 4 2-2 12; Brad Umoru 2 0-0 4; A.D. Harris 3 3-4 11; Jacques Stephenson 0 0-1 0; Totals: 26 24-33 86.
3-pointers: McLennan (Mills 3, Jones 1, Mays 1), Richland 8 (Te. Cooper 3, Moore 2, Woods 1, Hall 1, To. Cooper 1); Total fouls: McLennan 25, Richland 24; Fouled out: McLennan (Artis), Richland (Woods); Halftime score: Richland 39, McLennan 33; Record: McLennan 11-3.