The McLennan Highlassies opened conference play with a 74-57 win over the Lady Rangers this afternoon at The Highlands.
The game was tight through the first quarter. McLennan opened the game on a 4-0 run and led 12-8 with 3:13 remaining in the quarter. Ranger used a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to take the 15-12 lead and led 18-16 at the end of the first. The Highlassies found their rhythm in the second quarter, scoring 27 points and using a strong defense to hold Ranger to only six. McLennan led 43-24 at the break.
The Highlassies continued to increase the lead in the third, leading by as many as 25. McLennan led 61-37 at the end of the third. Ranger rallied to cut the lead to 15 midway through the fourth quarter but was unable to pull any closer.
Caylinne Martin led the Highlassies with 24 points and Tayla Taylor added 10. Both Martin and Taylor recorded double doubles with 12 and 13 rebounds, respectively.
In men's action, the Highlanders fell to the Rangers 60-59.
Ranger built a seven-point lead with 13:02 to play in the first half. McLennan used a 7-0 run to tie the game at 14 two minutes later. The Rangers led 27-26 with 5:11 to go in the first half. The Highlanders closed the half on a 10-0 run to take the 36-27 advantage at intermission.
McLennan increased the lead to 15, 44-29, with 15:28 remaining in the game. Ranger rallied and took the 54-53 with 5:20 on the clock. The Rangers continued to lead by one, 60-59, with 26 seconds to play. McLennan had a chance to seal the win in the final seconds but was unable to get off the last second shot.
Jerami Grace led the Highlanders with 20 points. Shannon Bogues and Aundre Jackson scored 17 and 11, respectively.
McLennan 74, Ranger 57
Ranger: Jazmin Shields 4 1-1 9; Tyrasha DeGrate 1 1-1 3; Aisha Isaac 3 1-1 7; Jayde Price 22-2 6; Kirsten Fellows 4 6-9 16; Mariah Merriweather 3 3-3 9; Giainne Oates 2 1-1 6; Ayanna Atkins 0 1-3 1; Totals: 19 16-21 57.
McLennan: Kiana Martin 2 0-0 5; Kyera Coleman 2 2-2 7; Dariel Johnson 2 4-6 9; Victoria Seay 2 0-1 4; Diamond Ervin 1 0-0 2; Ariana Sanders 2 4-4 9; Tayla Taylor 5 0-0 10; Tori Thompson 0 2-2 2; Caylinne Martin 9 6-8 24; Totals: 26 18-23 74.
3-pointers: Ranger 3 (Fellows 2, Oates 1), McLennan 4 (K. Martin 1, Coleman 1, Johnson 1, Sanders); Total fouls: Ranger 17, McLennan 22; Halftime score: McLennan 43, Ranger 24; Record: 6-10 (1-0).
Ranger 60, McLennan 59
Ranger: Kris Clyburn 1 3-3 4; Renard Thomas 1 0-1 2; A.J. Sparks 1 1-2 3; Gary Ringo 2 4-4 8; Chase Carlton 1 0-0 3; Jonathan Perez 2 0-0 6; Joshua Simmons 4 1-2 11; Tariiq Jones 2 1-1 5; Trey Conrod 6 2-2 14; Johnathan Turner 2 0-0 4; Totals: 22 11-15 60.
McLennan: Jerami Grace 7 2-6 20; Shannon Bogues 6 5-8 17; Brian Long 1 0-0 2; Aundre Jackson 5 1-2 11; Zach Charles 1 1-2 3; Fred Jackson 3 0-1 6; Totals: 23 9-19 59.
3-pointers: Ranger 5 (Simmons 2, Perez 2, Carlton 1), McLennan 4 (Grace 4); Total fouls: Ranger 22, Ranger 26; Fouled out: McLennan (Grace); Halftime score: McLennan 36, Ranger 27; Record: 15-3 (0-1).
