The fifth-ranked McLennan women's basketball squad opened conference play with a 78-66 win over the Hill Rebels tonight at The Highlands.
Hill had the momentum from the opening tip, opening on a 5-0 run comprised of a 3-pointer by KJ Walker followed by a bucket by Trinity Bane. A basket by Aniya Williams with 7:27 to go in the first quarter put McLennan on the board and started a 9-0 run. McLennan led 9-8 with 5:40 on the clock and held Hill scoreless for the remaining of the quarter to lead 13-8 after the first.
McLennan continued to lead by five, 16-11, early in the second quarter. Hill got hot from behind the arc, hitting seven 3-pointers in the quarter to break the game open and lead 39-29 at the half.
The momentum swung again to start the second half, this time in McLennan's favor. Hill managed just five points in the first five minutes of the frame as McLennan rallied to take the 46-44 lead on an and-one play by Mersadez Nephew. The game was tied at 51 with 1:54 to go in the third, and McLennan ended on a 6-2 run to lead 57-53 going to the fourth.
McLennan opened the fourth on a 6-0 run to take its first double-digit lead at 63-53. The defense was also on point for McLennan as it held Hill to one free throw over a three and a half minute stretch. The squad led by as many as 15 down the stretch to secure the win.
Mersadez Nephew led the way for McLennan with 26 points, and Aniya Williams added 14. Alaina Williams and Aysia Ward scored 14 and 13, respectively.
Hill: Mercedes Mancha 5 0-0 14; KJ Walker 6 0-0 16; Journee Chambers 1 0-2 2; Jaz'lyn Jackson 0 0-0 0; Emikele Hawthorne 0 0-0 0; Trinity Bane 5 1-2 12; Savannah Velazquez 8 3-5 22; Iasia Goldman 0 0-0 0; Totals: 25 4-9 66.
McLennan: Aysia Ward 5 2-4 12; Saneea Bevley 0 0-0 0; Alaina Payne 5 2-2 13; Mersadez Nephew 9 4-4 26; Jalayah Ingram 3 3-3 9; Peyton Hearvey 1 0-0 2; Aniya Williams 6 2-5 14; Kalisha Phillips 0 0-0 0; Pauline Maccarthy 0 0-0 0; Totals: 27 13-18 78.
First Quarter score: McLennan 13, Hill 8; Halftime score: Hill 39, McLennan 29; Third Quarter score: McLennan 57, Hill 53; 3-pointers: Hill 12 (Mancha 4, Walker 4, Velazquez 3, Bane 1), McLennan 5 (Nephew 4, Paine 1); Total fouls: Hill 16, McLennan 15Fouled out:
Record: McLennan 12-3 (1-0).
