Highlassies wallop Weatherford

The McLennan Highlassies continued their conference winning streak with a 66-56 victory over the Weatherford Lady Coyotes Saturday afternoon on the road.

The first quarter was a series of runs. Weatherford led 7-5 midway through the period. McLennan tied the game with a Jaylonn Walker jumper that started a 9-0 run with 4:26 remaining in the period. The Highlassies led 14-7 with three minutes on the clock. The Lady Coyotes ended the quarter on an 8-1 run to tie the game at 15 to start the second quarter.

McLennan took the lead on a Dariel Johnson 3-pointer less than a minute into the second period. Weatherford then pulled away slightly, leading by five, 26-21 with 2:10 remaining in the quarter. Patrickia Daily served as a spark for McLennan off the bench. Daily scored eight consecutive points including back-to-back 3-pointers to close the half and give the Highlassies the 29-26 advantage. 

The Highlassies picked up the tempo in the third quarter and built a gap between themselves and the Lady Coyotes. McLennan took an early five-point lead in the quarter, 34-26, and extended it to nine with just over six minutes left in the period, 38-29. Weatherford pulled within six before the Highlassies began to pull further away, leading by as many as 14 in the quarter. McLennan led 51-39 heading into the final period. 

The Highlassies extended their lead to 16, 59-43, with six minutes remaining in the game. Weatherford trimmed the lead to seven late in the quarter but was unable to get any closer.

Velma Mitchell led McLennan with 18 points.

McLennan returns to action Wednesday hosting Hill. The women's game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men at 7:30 p.m. The Highlassies will be participating in their annual Play4Kay event to raise money for breast cancer research. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and make a donation.

McLennan 66, Weatherford 56
McLennan: Patrickia Daily 2 2-2 8; Colandria Haynes 1 0-0 2; Dariel Johnson 13-8 6; Jordan Mullins 4 0-0 8; Velma Mitchell 4 8-10 18; Jaylonn Walker 4 1-2 9; Chelsi Woodard 0 1-2 1; Nadia Hayes 1 3-3 5; Ashley Moore 3 3-6 9; Totals: 20 21-33 66.

Weatherford: Madi Mayfield 0 0-0 0; Destiney Winkfield 1 0-0 3; Brittany Hall 0 0-0 0; Masha Vasilevko 3 3-3 10; Lydia Friberg 0 0-0 0; Dovile Strimaityte 3 0-0 8; Arelis Cora 1 2-2 5; Caroline Forrest 1 0-0 2; Reyna Ammons 3 2-2 8; Ugochinyere Nwarie 1 0-0 2; River Romine 4 0-0 9; Tahnia McDaniel 2 4-4 9; Totals: 19 11-11 56.

3-pointers: McLennan 5 (Daily 2, Mitchell 2, Johnson 1), Weatherford 7 (Strimaritye 2, Winkfield 1, Vasilevko 1, Cora 1, Romine 1, McDaniel 1); Total fouls: McLennan 12, Weatherford 29; Fouled out: Weatherford (McDaniel); Halftime score: McLennan 29, Weatherford 26; Record: McLennan 15-9 (8-1).