The ninth-ranked McLennan Highlanders defeated the Southwestern Christian Rams 81-73 in Terrell.
The Highlanders came out on fire to begin the game, building a 23-9 lead with 11:55 to play in the first half. Southwestern Christian rallied to cut the lead to four with just under 10 minutes to go in the half, 25-21. McLennan increased the lead back to double digits, 36-26, with 5:27 to go. The Rams pulled within one with 1:40 remaining before the break, 42-41. The Highlanders ended the half on a 6-2 run to take the 48-43 advantage at halftime.
McLennan opened the second half on a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 12, 55-43. Southwestern Christian trimmed the lead to four midway through the half before the Highlanders pulled away again. McLennan led by 10 with six minutes to go. The Rams pulled within three with just under three minutes remaining in the game but were unable to pull any closer.
Jerami Grace led the Highlanders with 27 points and Aundre Jackson added 15.
In women's action, the Highlassies defeated the Lady Rams 86-74.
The Highlassies opened the game with a Diamond Ervin 3-pointer. Southwestern Christian led 7-4 with 7:52 remaining in the first quarter. McLennan used an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to take the 15-7 lead and led 28-20 after one quarter of play. The Highlassies continued to lead through the second quarter and held the 43-37 advantage at halftime. McLennan pulled away in the second half, leading by as many 21 as they cruised to the victory.
Tayla Taylor led the Highlassies with 13 points. Kyera Coleman and Caylinne Martin added 12 each. Ariana Sanders scored 11 points.
McLennan 81, Southwestern Christian 73
McLennan: Ben Nakwaasah 2 2-2 6; Antonio Wade 1 2-3 4; K.J. Boyd 1 2-2 5; Jerami Grace 10 2-5 27; Shannon Bogues 3 1-4 9; Brian Long 1 0-0 2; Aundre Jackson 6 3-3 15; Zach Charles 3 1-2 7; Fred Jackson 2 0-0 4; Ricky Curry 1 0-0 2; Totals: 30 13-21 81.
Southwestern Christian: Streeter 6 1-4 18; Wade 0 1-2 1; Hodge 1 0-0 2; Wallace 4 1-2 9; Ellis 5 0-2 10; Hills 5 0-0 14; Andrews 8 0-0 19; Totals: 29 10-16 73.
3-pointers: McLennan 7 (Grace 5, Boyd 1, Bogues 1), Southwestern Christian 12 (Streeter 5, Hills 4, Andrews 3); Total fouls: McLennan 15, Southwestern Christian 16; Halftime score: McLennan 48, Southwestern Christian 23; Record: McLennan 26-4 (10-2).
McLennan 86, Southwestern Christian 74
McLennan: Kiana Martin 2 4-5 9; Kyera Coleman 3 6-6 12; Dariel Johnson 2 2-4 8; Victoria Seay 1 0-0 3; Diamond Ervin 3 0-0 7; Ariana Sanders 5 1-2 11; Raven Ringo 3 2-3 8; NiCosha Nelms 0 3-4 3; Tayla Taylor 4 5-8 13; Caylinne Martin 2 8-10 12; Totals: 25 31-42 86.
Southwestern Christian: Colbert 2 2-2 6; Williams 3 0-1 7; Arceneaux 5 3-5 13; Ohanta 5 9-11 20; Brown 1 0-0 3; Perry 4 5-6 16; Calloway 1 0-0 2; Blair 2 2-2 6; Foster 0 1-2 1; Totals: 23 20-27 74.
3-pointers: McLennan 5 (Johnson 2, K. Martin 1, Ervin 1, Sanders 1), Southwestern Christian 8 (Perry 3, Colbert 2, Williams 1, Ohanta 1, Brown 1); Total fouls: McLennan 23, Southwestern Christian 33; Fouled out: Southwestern Christian (Ohanta, Blair); Halftime score: McLennan 43, Southwestern Christian 37; Record: 14-15 (9-5).
