In a game that came down to the final seconds, the McLennan Highlassies fell to the Tyler Apaches 67-65 on the road in Tyler.
It was a close game from start to finish with neither team holding more than a 13-point lead throughout the contest. McLennan trailed by one, 13-12, at the end of the first quarter. Tyler then took a 39-28 lead into the halftime break. McLennan rallied to cut the lead to three at the end of the third, 49-46. The Highlassies came back in the fourth and held the lead with 1:10 to play but couldn't hold off the late Tyler run.
Raija Todd led McLennan with 17 points and Mele Kailahi added 14. The Highlassies return to action Monday, traveling to Brenham to face Blinn at 5:30 p.m.
Tyler 67, McLennan 65
McLennan: Raija Todd 5 6-7 17; Miannah Little 2 4-7 8; Jaidyn Fontenette 2 1-2 5; Ahlura Lofton 1 0-0 3; McKenzie Piper 1 5-7 7; Mele Kailahi 4 5-5 14; Mersadez Nephew 0 0-0 0; Judith Moya 0 0-0 0; Brielle Dorsey 4 1-4 9; Marquise Nelson 0 2-2 2; Totals: 19 24-34 65.
Tyler:
Veonce Powell 2 2-4 7; Maiya Ware 2 1-2 5; Natieona Cole 1 0-0 2; Daijah Torns 5 4-6 15; Nala Hemingway 0 0-0 0; Taryn Wills 3 3-3 9; Jasmine Payne 0 0-0 0; Deborah Ogayemi 1 0-0 2; Brianna Garrett 1 0-0 2; Clara Rotich 1 0-0 3; Codou Ndour 5 0-0 14; Totals: 24 11-18 67.
3-pointers: McLennan 3 (Todd 1, Kailahi 1, Lofton 1), Tyler 8 (Ndour 4, Rotich 1, Powell 1, Torns 1); Total fouls: McLennan 22, Tyler 28; Fouled out: Tyler (Ware); Halftime score: Tyler 39, McLennan 28; Record: McLennan 1-1.
