The McLennan Highlanders closed out the first half of the conference season with a 73-59 victory over the Weatherford Coyotes tonight at The Highlands.
Both teams started slow. McLennan opened the game on a 5-0 run. The Highlanders extended the lead to eight, 19-11, with 8:52 to play in the first half. Weatherford rallied to tie the game at 24 with 5:12 to go in the half and led by two at the break 36-34.
The Highlanders opened the second half on an 11-2 run to build a seven-point lead with 14 minutes to play. McLennan took the first double-digit lead of the contest at 52-42. Weatherford pulled within nine several times down the stretch but couldn't get any closer.
Xavier Armstead led the Highlanders with a double double, 20 points and 10 rebounds. Javen Hedgeman scored 19. Casey Armour rounded out the Highlanders in double figures with 13.
In women's action, the McLennan Highlassies fell to the Weatherford Lady Coyotes 73-65.
It was tit-for-tat through the first quarter of play with McLennan holding the 14-11 lead going into the second period. Weatherford began to pull away within an 11-0 run to take the 24-16 lead midway through the quarter. McLennan rallied to cut the lead to three, 32-29, with a minute to go before the half. Weatherford ended the half on a 4-0 run to lead 36-29 at the break.
The Lady Coyotes extended their lead to 11 early in third. The Highlassies began to rally again. Weatherford led 45-38 with five minutes to play in the third. McLennan used an 8-0 run highlighted by five points from Annya Moss to take a one-point lead, 46-45 with 2:21 to go in the third. Weatherford ended the quarter on a 7-2 run to hold the 52-48 advantage heading into the fourth. Weatherford extended the lead to 14, 71-55, with four minutes remaining in the game. McLennan ended the game on an 8-2 run but couldn't complete the comeback.
KeeKee Nowlin led McLennan with 13 points. Raveen Blue and Annya Moss added 13 and 12, respectively.
The Highlassies return to action Saturday, hosting Cisco at 2 p.m. The Highlanders return to the court Feb. 6 at Ranger.
Weatherford: Ron Korelc 1 0-0 2; Kennan Gooden 3 3-4 10; Reece Spencer 9 1-2 25; Luka Tejic 0 0-0 0; Ansu Sesay 1 1-5 3; Corey Sands 0 0-0 0; Ke'lyn Adams 3 0-0 6; Jeremiah Ganaway 3 7-8 13; Totals: 20 12-19 59.
McLennan: Javen Hedgeman 5 6-9 19; Creighton Avery 0 0-0 0; Mike Adewunmi 2 0-0 4; Xavier Armstead 7 2-5 20; Casey Armour 4 5-8 13; Garrett Shaw 1 0-0 2; Devyn Brewton 1 0-0 2; Dayante McClellan 1 2-4 2; Willie Thomas 4 1-1 9; Totals: 25 16-27 73,
3-pointers: Weatherford 7 (Spencer 6, Gooden 1), McLennan 7 (Armstead 4, Hedgeman 3); Total fouls: Weatherford 21, McLennan 15; Fouled out: Weatherford (Gooden); Halftime score: Weatherford 36, McLennan 34; Record: McLennan 18-5 (4-3).
Weatherford: Anna Jefferson Poll 2 3-3 7; Destiny McAfee 8 0-2 18; Sarah Bush 3 2-3 8; Monika Faerber 6 2-2 14; Andreja Peciuraite 4 0-4 8; River Romine 1 0-0 3; Grace Daniels 2 2-4 7; Ashawntae Brown 3 2-2 8; Totals: 29 11-19 73.
McLennan: Jada McHenry 0 0-0 0; Ny'Asia Goldman 2 0-2 5; Kenidi White 1 0-0 3; Gabby Cleveland 0 0-0 0; KeeKee Nowlin 5 4-4 14; Annya Moss 4 1-4 12; Raveen Blue 4 3-6 13; Shequana Jackson 0 1-2 1; Elizabeth Critton 1 2-2 4; Anastacia Mickens 3 4-5 10; Desirae Devine 1 1-2 3; Totals: 21 16-29 65.
3-pointers: Weatherford 4 (McAfee 2, Romine 1, Daniels 1), McLennan 7 (Moss 3, Blue 2, Goldman 1, White 1); Total fouls: Weatherford 19, McLennan 19; Fouled out: McLennan (Devine); Halftime score: Weatherford 36, McLennan 29; Record: McLennan10-11 (1-7).
