The McLennan Highlanders rolled over the Collin Cougars 85-68 this afternoon on the road in Plano.
McLennan dominated from the start. The Highlanders opened the game on a 9-0 run and extended the lead to 12 as they held Collin to just three free throws in the first eight minutes of play, 15-3. The Cougars first field goal would be a Lav Cvetkovic 3-pointer from the top of the key with 11:51 to go in the first half. Collin pulled with nine, 32-23 with 3:42 on the clock but the Highlanders ended on a 9-4 run including a 3-pointer from Nick Shogbonyo in the final seconds to lead 41-27 at the half.
The Highlanders it up the scoreboard from behind the arc. Jared Clawson and Shogbonyo combined to hit three consecutive 3-pointers to start the second half. McLennan led by 20, 52-32, with 16:27 remaining in the game. A Khalif Allim basket followed by back-to-back 3-pointers from Shogbonyo and CJ Hall extended the lead to 28, 60-32. The Cougars weren't giving in and began to rally. Collin pulled within 11 a couple times down the stretch but the Highlanders held their ground.
Jared Clawson, the reigning Conference Player of the Week, led McLennan with 27 points including six 3-pointers. Nick Shogbonyo added 17 points and CJ Hall chipped in 16. Shogbonyo and Hall both hit three 3-point range.
McLennan: Nick Shogbonyo 6 2-2 17; CJ Hall 6 1-2 16; Jacobi Lewis 0 0-0 0; Dayvaughn Froe 0 0-0 0; Jaylen Thompson 0 0-0 0; A.J. Barnes 3 2-3 9; Jared Clawson 10 1-3 27; Jahmar Brown 1 0-0 2; Omarion Smith 2 0-0 4; Mason Lockhart 0 2-4 2; Kaleb Pouncy 0 0-0 0; Khalif Allim 3 2-2 8; Totals: 31 10-16 85.
Collin: Ben Joelson 1 0-0 2; Chris Ferguson 0 0-0 0; Jay Wilson 0 2-2 2; Robby Williams 0 2-2 2; TJ Thomas 5 0-2 13; Willie Wilson Jr. 5 6-7 16; Jarron Drayton 0 0-0 0; Jack Watkins 0 0-0 0; Isaiah Washington 6 2-2 17; Xavier Williams 3 2-2 8; Connor Redrow 1 0-0 3; Totals: 22 10-24 68.
3-pointers: McLennan 13 (Clawson 6, Shogbonyo 3, Hall 3), Collin 10 (Thomas 3, Washington 3, X. Williams 2, Cvetkovic 1, Redrow 1); Total fouls: McLennan 18, Collin 19; Fouled out: TJ Thomas (Collin), Xavier Williams (Collin); Halftime score: McLennan 41, Collin 27; Record: McLennan 15-4 (2-1).
