The McLennan Highlassies came from behind to defeat the Ranger Lady Rangers 62-59 on the road this afternoon in Ranger.
McLennan came out fired up, opening on a 9-0 run during the first minute and a half of play. She'Ray Wilson hit one of two free throws for Ranger with 8:04 to go in the first and started a 14-0 run to give Ranger the 14-9 lead with 2:54 to play in the first quarter. McLennan trailed 20-15 to start the second. The Lady Rangers kept the Highlassies at arm's length throughout the second quarter and extended their lead to 11 at the break, 36-25.
Both teams struggled to find a scoring rhythm in the third quarter. The Highlassies held Ranger scoreless for over five minutes and scored just three points of their own. Ranger led 46-33 with one minute to play in the quarter but back-to-back 3-pointers by Ahlura Lofton and Mersadez Nephew trimmed the lead to seven going into the final period, 46-39. The Highlassies rallied late in the fourth. Ranger led 56-50 with 3:43 to play. Five consecutive points from Mele Kailahi pulled McLennan within two, and a 3-pointer from Nephew with 1:58 to go put McLennan on top 58-56. The Highlassies led by one 60-59 with one minute remaining. Brielle Dorsey's bucket with 44 seconds to go sealed the win.
Mele Kailahi led McLennan with 16 points and Miannah Little added 15. Mersadez Nephew and Jaidyn Fontenette added 14 and 10, respectively.
McLennan: Miannah Little 6 2-3 15; Jaidyn Fontenette 4 1-2 10; Ahlura Lofton 1 0-0 3; McKenzie Piper 0 0-0 0; Mele Kailahi 7 0-0 16; Mersadez Nephew 4 2-5 14; Brielle Dorsey 1 0-2 2; Marquise Nelson 1 0-0 2; Mariona Garcia 0 0-0 0; Totals: 24 5-12 62.
Ranger: Lindsey Claude 1 0-0 3; Jakoriah Long 2 0-0 5; Paytin Bullard 1 0-0 2; Emily Vidal 1 0-0 3; Angel Kelly 1 0-0 3; Cyarah Kensmil 1 0-0 2; Reaghan Ridge 0 0-0 0;
Kaysha McCloud 2 2-2 6; Wilashia Burleson 6 4-4 16; She'Ray Wilson 6 5-6 19; Totals: 20 13-14 59.
3-pointers: McLennan 9 (Nephew 4, Kailahi 2, Little 1, Fontenette 1, Lofton 1), Ranger 6 (Wilson 2, Vidal 1, Kelly 1, Claude 1, Long 1); Total fouls: McLennan 15, Ranger 20; Fouled out: Ranger (Burleson); Halftime score: Ranger 36, McLennan 25; Record: McLennan 7-10 (6-7).
