The McLennan Highlassies defeated the Coastal Bend Lady Cougars 80-54 on the opening night of the Coastal Bend Classic in Beeville.
McLennan was in control from the start. The Highlassies opened the game on an 8-0 run, holding Coastal Bend scoreless for the first four minutes of play. The McLennan defense held the Lady Cougars to just five free throws in the first seven minutes of the game allowing the Highlassies to build a 12-point lead. McLennan led 23-10 at the end of the first quarter.
The Highlassies opened the second quarter on a 13-2 run to continue pulling away and doubled their score by intermission 46-23.
McLennan led 57-34 with a minute and a half to go in the third. Coastal Bend made a 6-1 run but the Highlassies responded with a 3-0 run to end the quarter up by 20, 60-40.
Coastal Bend scored first in the fourth to cut the lead to 18 but the Highlassies used a 12-0 run to put the game even further out of reach.
Kenidi White led McLennan with 17 points. Raija Todd and Yumon Simien added 10 points each.
The Highlassies will face Palo Alto tomorrow at 5 p.m. on the second day of the three-day tournament.
McLennan: Raija Todd 4 1-2 10; Ny'Asia Goldman 1 0-0 2; Kenidi White 6 4-4 17; Jaidyn Fontenette 1 0-0 3; Yumon Simien 3 2-4 10; Jade Bradley 3 0-0 6; Mele Kaloni Kailahi 1 0-0 3; Annya Moss 1 4-6 7; Khadidiatou Niang 1 2-2 4; Elizabeth Critton 2 4-4 8; Seynabou Thiam 4 0-0 8; Totals: 27 17-22 80.
Coastal Bend: Olivia Chisolm 2 5-6 9; Aneth Jimenez 0 2-2 2; Jada Mitchell 4 2-2 11; Cassie Hogan 2 4-4 9; Jada Sheridan 1 0-0 2; Marley Martinez 2 0-0 6; Brianna Martinez 1 0-0 3; Essence Richards 5 1-2 11; 17 14-16 54.
Totals:
3-pointers: McLennan 9 (Simien 2, Bradley 2, Kailahi 1, Moss 1, Todd 1, White 1, Fontenette 1), Coastal Bend 5 (M. Martinez 2, Mitchell 1, Hogan 1, B. Martinez 1); Total fouls: McLennan 22, Coastal Bend 20; Halftime score: McLennan 46, Coastal Bend 23;
Record: McLennan 5-1.
