The McLennan Highlanders improved to 11-0 on the season with an 84-76 win over the Cedar Valley Suns Monday evening at The Highlands.
Cedar Valley opened with an Eric Stewart 3-pointer less than 30 seconds into the game and built an eight-point lead, 19-11, with 12:50 to play in the first half. McLennan took control from that point, using a 21-0 run to break the game open as they held the Suns scoreless for just under six minutes. The Highlanders increased their lead to 15 on a pair of Hayden Hunter free throws with just under three minutes remaining in the half and led 43-28 at the break.
The Highlanders continued to pull away in the second half, increasing the lead to 27, 69-42, with 10 minutes remaining in the game, but Cedar Valley didn't give up. The Suns chipped away at the lead, cutting it to eight with 12.8 seconds to go, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Highlanders.
Isaiah Gurley led the Highlanders with 21 points. Shannon Bogues and Hunter added 12 and 12, respectively.
Cedar Valley: Tajh Baker 1 3-5 5; Keith Williams 1 3-4 5; Amariye Blunson 3 3-4 10; Eric Stewart 4 2-2 14; Levin Johnson 3 0-0 9; J.F. Thomas 3 1-3 7; Joshua Johnson 2 0-1 4; Desmond Kennedy 5 4-4 16; Dalyn Mumphrey 1 4-4 6; D'Andre Jones 0 0-2 0; Totals: 23 20-29 76.
McLennan: Kyle Brennon 0 3-4 3; Zarious Wilson 3 0-2 6; Hayden Hunter 2 7-8 12; Shannon Bogues 8 0-2 17; Isaiah Gurley 8 5-7 21; Jashawn Talton 3 0-0 6; Daniel Pinho Severo 4 0-2 8; Fred Jackson 2 0-0 4; Julius Palmer 2 3-4 7; Totals: 32 18-29 84.
3-pointers: Cedar Valley 10 (Stewart 4, L. Johnson 3, Kennedy 2, Blunson 1), McLennan 2 (Hunter 1, Bogues 1); Total fouls: Cedar Valley 20, McLennan 25; Fouled out: Cedar Valley (Johnson, Thomas), McLennan (Jackson); Halftime score: McLennan 43, Cedar Valley 28; Record: McLennan 11-0.
