In a hard-fought battle that came down to the final seconds, the McLennan Highlassies fell to the Weatherford Lady Coyotes 75-73.
McLennan built a five-point lead at 16-11 midway through the first half. Weatherford fought back to tie the game at 23 with 5:43 remaining in the half. The Highlassies led 30-29 with 2:08 to go before the break. The Lady Coyotes ended the half on a 9-2 run to take the 38-32 advantage at halftime.
The Highlassies rallied to take the 48-47 lead with 15:03 remaining in the game and extended the lead to seven, 60-53, with 9:42 to go. Weatherford used a 7-0 run to tie the game at 60 with 6:43 on the clock. The Lady Coyotes led 74-70 with 1:14 to go. Kaylin Roher cut the lead to one with a layup and free throw following a Weatherford foul with 53 seconds to play, but that was as close as the Highlassies could get.
Roher led McLennan with 18 points. Kendra Wynn and Re'Elle Miller scored 13 and 10, respectively.
In men's action, the McLennan Highlanders fell to the Weatherford Coyotes 74-64.
The Coyotes led from start to finish as McLennan struggled throughout the game. Weatherford built a double-digit lead, 19-8, with 11:17 remaining in the first half. Ricardo Artis scored the first 10 points for the Highlanders. The Coyotes led by as many as 19 in the half. McLennan was able to trim the lead to 13 several times down the stretch, but Weatherford held the 38-23 advantage at the break.
Weatherford extended the lead to 20 early in the second half before the Highlanders began to chip away at the big lead. McLennan cut the lead to six with just over three minutes remaining in the game but was unable to pull any closer.
Jalen Jones led the Highlanders with 22 points. Ricardo Artis and Alex Mills scored 12 and 11, respectively.
McLennan returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to Plano to face Collin. The women's game begins at 5:30 p.m, followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.
Weatherford 75, McLennan 73
McLennan: Kaylin Roher 5 5-5 18; Kyera Coleman 2 0-0 5;Kendra Wynn 4 5-8 13; Demi Cumby 4 0-0 8; Re'Elle Miller 3 3-4 10; Amani Davis 4 0-1 8; Adrienne Drake 2 0-0 4; Caylinne Martin 2 2-2 6; Corrine Martin 0 1-2 1; Totals: 26 16-22 73.
Weatherford: Amber Keith 4 3-5 12; Sverija Narkute 1 1-3 4; Allea Harris 1 6-6 9; Greta Kairyte 0 2-2 2; C.J. Johnson 11 8-19 30; Lou Hawkins 1 0-0 3; Rayvon Christian 3 1-4 7; Zippy Khasoa 3 2-2 8; Totals: 24 23-41 75.
3-pointers: McLennan 5 (Roher 3, Miller 1, Coleman 1), Weatherford 4 (Keith 1, Harris 1, Hawkins 1, Narkute 1); Total fouls: McLennan 27, Weatherford 21; Fouled out: McLennan (Davis), Weatherford (Keith, Khasoa); Halftime score: Weatherford 38, McLennan 32; Record: McLennan 11-15 (6-7).
Weatherford 74, McLennan 64
McLennan: Rashaan Surles 0 4-7 4; Jalen Jones 9 2-3 22; Elijah Mayes 2 0-2 5; James Harrison 1 4-4 6; Alex Mills 3 5-6 11; Ricardo Artis 5 2-4 12; Aundre Jackson 2 0-0 4; Totals: 23 17-26 64.
Weatherford: Quentin Henderson 1 8-12 10; Kendale Truitt 5 2-2 12; Fadil Yacoubou 1 0-0 2; Juozas Balciunas 3 0-0 6; Tonko Vuko 8 2-3 20; Deris Duncan 1 0-0 3; Anthony Roberson 1 4-6 6; Vlatko Granic 5 2-2 15; Totals: 25 18-25 74.
3-pointers: McLennan 3 (Jones 2, Mayes 1), Weatherford 6 (Granic 3, Vuko 2, Duncan 1); Total fouls: McLennan 18, Weatherford 20; Halftime score: Weatherford 38, McLennan 23; Record: McLennan 22-7 (7-4).
