Highlanders fall to Hill

In a game that came down to the wire, the 23rd-ranked McLennan Highlanders fell to the fifth-ranked Hill Rebels 91-85 on Wednesday night at The Highlands.

The Highlanders came out running and gunning, building a 20-6 lead with just under 14 minutes to play in the first half. The Rebels rallied, cutting the lead to one at 36-35 with 4:58 to go. McLennan extended the lead to nine but Hill cut it to two at the break, 50-48.

McLennan came out cold in the second half. The Rebels took their first lead of the game on a 3-pointer to start the second half. Hill extended the lead to double digits at 79-69 with 6:54 remaining in the game. McLennan trailed 85-74 with just over four minutes. McLennan rallied, cutting the lead to four at 87-83 with 35.61 seconds to go but was unable to complete the comeback.

Sophomore Jalen Jones led the Highlanders with 21 points and sophomore James Harrison added 14. Freshman Alex Mills and sophomore Jeff Beverly added 13 and 12, respectively.

McLennan returns to action on Saturday, traveling to Terrell to face Southwestern Christian. The women's game begins at 2 p.m., followed by the men's game at 4 p.m.

Hill 91, McLennan 85
Hill: Evan Moorman 3 4-4 13; Tyrell Bellot-Green 7 1-1 19; Marcus Johnson 7 8-12 24; Coris Williams 2 0-0 4; Jemerio Jones 8 2-2 20; Devocio Butler 1 3-4 5; Kristian Keys 3 0-0 6; Totals: 31 18-23 91;

McLennan: Rashaan Surles 1 0-0 2; K.J. Boyd 1 0-1 2; Jalen Jones 7 7-10 21; Elijah Mayes 1 2-2 4; James Harrison 5 1-2 14; Alex Mills 4 2-2 13; Ricardo Artis 4 1-1 9; Jeff Beverly 3 4-5 12; Aundre Jackson 3 0-0 6; Zach Charles 1 0-1 2; Totals 30 17-23 85.

3-pointers: Hill 11 (Bellot-Green 4, Moorman 3, Johnson 2, Jones 2), McLennan 8 (Harrison 3, Mills 3, Beverly 2); Total fouls: McLennan 19, Hill 21; Fouled out: McLennan (Boyd); Halftime score: McLennan 50, Hill 48; Record: McLennan 17-4 (2-1).