The McLennan Highlanders defeated the Ranger Rangers 86-72 Saturday to move to 2-1 in conference play.
Ranger opened on a 4-0 run with baskets by Jared Clawson and Eli Taylor. McLennan responded with a 5-0 run including buckets by Chris Pryor and Courtland Blake, and a free throw from Justin Wilson. The Highlanders built a four-point lead of its own at 9-5 with 13:40 to play in the first half. A 5-0 run from Ranger put them on top 10-9. The game was tied at 14 with 9:51 to go in the half. McLennan broke the game open with an 18-0 run started by a long 3-pointer from the top of the key by Pryor. The Highlanders led 32-14 with 4:50 to go in the half. After going scoreless for more than five minutes, Ranger fought back cutting the lead to eight at 37-29 with 1:15 to play before intermission. Javani Brown added a 3-pointer for McLennan in the final seconds of the half to give the Highlanders the 42-29 advantage at the break.
The Highlanders kept the Rangers arm's length throughout the second half. Ranger pulled within 11 early in the half but McLennan extended the lead to 17, 58-41, with 12:09 to play. Ranger trimmed the lead to 11 with 2:32 remaining, 76-65, but that would be as close as they would get.
Chris Pryor led the Highlanders with 20 points. Forte Prater and Diego Gonzalez added 15 each.
McLennan 86, Ranger 64
Ranger: Lindsey Claude 2 3-4 5; Kayla Davis 0 0-0 0; Emily Vidal 3 0-0 6; Cyarah Kensmil 8 4-8 20; Robbie Johnson 1 0-0 3; Reaghan Ridge 3 0-0 8; Jayla Hall 1 0-0 2; Michayla Mitchell 1 0-0 2; Wilashia Burleson 7 4-5 18; Totals: 26 11-17 64.
McLennan: Forte Prater 3 8-10 15; Dillon Gooding 1 0-0 2; CJ Hall 2 0-0 4; Jayce Wright 0 0-0 0; Nehemiah Nuckolls 4 2-6 10; Chris Pryor 7 3-5 20; Diego Gonzalez 5 5-7 15; Cortland Blake 1 0-0 2; Kirk Smith Jr. 3 2-5 8; Javani Brown 3 0-0 7; Justin Wilson 1 1-2 3; Totals: 30 21-35 86.
Ranger: Jared Clawson 1 0-0 2; Javon Walker 5 0-0 10; Eli Taylor 4 2-4 10; Jaylen Thompson 6 3-5 18; Tayton Conerway 10 4-8 26; Trendon Stewart 0 0-0 0; Denardo Adderly 0 0-0 0; Martin Anguelov 1 0-0 3; Kobe Samake 1 0-2 3; Abdoulaye Diallo 0 0- 0; Totals: 28 9-19 72.
3-pointers: McLennan 5 (Pryor 3, Prater 1, Brown 1), Ranger 7 (Thompson 3, Conerway 2, Adderlov 1, Samake 1); Total fouls: McLennan 20, Ranger 27; Fouled out: McLennan (Pryor), Ranger (Walker); Halftime: McLennan 42, Ranger 29; Record: McLennan 15-3 (2-1).
