The McLennan Highlanders pushed their conference win streak to two games with an 83-67 victory over the Grayson Vikings this afternoon on the road.
It was all McLennan from the opening tip with a fast tempo and strong shooting. The Highlanders began the game with a 6-0 run compiled by buckets in the paint from Xavier Armstead, Casey Armour and Dayante McClellan. McLennan built a double-digit lead at 20-9 with 14:19 to play in the first half. A quick five points for Grayson would pull the Vikings within six but that would be as close as they could get. McLennan responded with a 16-0 run to blow the game open, 36-14. The Highlanders would lead 46-22 at intermission.
Grayson opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers but McLennan cruised the rest of the way. The Highlanders would lead by as many as 27 down the stretch.
Xavier Armstead led McLennan with 27 points including five 3-pointers, and Casey Armour chipped in 16. Dayante McClellan recorded a double-double, with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
In the early game, the McLennan Highlassies fell to the Grayson Lady Vikings 83-66.
McLennan controlled the game early on, holding the 13-8 lead with 2:24 to play in the first quarter. Back-to-back 3-pointers by the Vikings erased the Highlassies' lead, and the teams would be tied at 15 after one period of play. Grayson's Alexis Acoff drained one of her five 3-pointers less than 20 seconds in the second quarter to put the Lady Vikings on top. A jumper by Kenidi White would pull the Highlassies within one. Grayson began to pull away with strong 3-point shooting. The Lady Vikings would go on to hit 11 from behind the arc in the contest. Grayson led 42-29 at the half.
McLennan didn't go down without a fight. The Highlassies pulled within nine midway through the third quarter but the Lady Vikings pulled away again. Grayson would lead by 18 to start the fourth, 63-45. The Highlassies put together a strong rally in the final quarter and trailed by just 10 with 1:30 to go. The Lady Vikings ended the game on a 10-3 run to seal the win.
Annya Moss led the Highlassies with 18 points and KeeKee Nowlin scored 12.
McLennan hosts Weatherford Wednesday evening. Women's action will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.
McLennan 83, Grayson 67
McLennan: Javen Hedgeman3 2-4 8; Creighton Avery 0 2-2 2; Mike Adewunmi 2 2-3 6; Kameron Ivory 0 0-0 0; Xavier Armstead 11 0-0 27; Casey Armour 7 2-4 16; Garrett Shaw 3 1-2 7; Dayante McClellan 6 1-1 13; Willie Thomas 1 0-0 2; Ja'Lyn Banks 0 2-2 2; Totals: 33 12-18 83.
Grayson: Jaekwon Carlyle 3 0-2 9; Jalen Gibson 0 0-0 0; Jahmir Williams 6 2-3 15; Raymond Kowalski III 7 1-1 18; Joseph Clark 1 0-0 3; Brennen Woods 2 0-0 5; Roman Strickland 5 2-2 15; Camryn Givens 0 0-0 0; Totals: 24 5-8 67.
3-pointers: McLennan 5 (Armstead 5), Grayson 12 (Strickland 3, Carlyle 3, Kowalski 3, Williams 1, Clark 1, Woods 1); Total fouls: McLennan 12, Grayson 23; Fouled out: Grayson (Carlyle); Halftime score: McLennan 46, Grayson 22; Record: McLennan 17-5 (3-3).
Grayson 83, McLennan 66
McLennan: Jada McHenry 0 0-0 0; Ny'Asia Goldman 1 1-4 3; Kenidi White 1 0-0 2; Gabby Cleveland 2 0- 04; KeeKee Nowlin 4 3-4 12; Annya Moss 7 1-2 18; Raveen Blue 3 0-0 7; Shequana Jackson 3 1-1 7; Elizabeth Critton 1 0-0 2; Anastacia Mickens 3 1-2 7; Desirae Devine 2 0-0 4; Totals: 27 7-13 66.
