The McLennan Highlassies fell to the San Jacinto Gators 83-73 on Tuesday night in Houston.
The Highlassies struggled offensively in the first half. San Jacinto took a 10-point lead at 14-4 with 13:27 to play in the half. McLennan capitalized on the Gators' 17 fouls, going 17-25 from the free-throw line to stay in the game and cut the lead to three at the break, 33-30.
The Highlassies tied the game at 33 less than a minute into the second half. San Jacinto used a 15-0 run over the next five minutes to pull away. McLennan rallied to cut the lead to two, 59-57, with nine minutes remaining in the game. The Gators pulled away again, leading by as many as 13 down the stretch. The Highlassies cut the lead to six with two minutes to go but were unable to complete the comeback.
Sophomore Kaylin Roher led the Highlassies with 18 points and sophomore Kendra Wynn added 10.
McLennan returns to action on Friday, facing Seminole State at 5 p.m. in the Angelina Classic in Lufkin.
McLennan: Kaylin Roher 4 8-13 18; Kyera Coleman 2 2-2 7; Kendra Wynn 3 4-6 10; Demi Cumby 1 5-8 7; Re'Elle Miller 0 3-4 3; Diamond Ervin 2 2-2 6; Amani Davis 1 2-2 4; Tayla Taylor 0 4-6 4; Adrienne Drake 1 3-5 5; Caylinne Martin 3 3-3 9; Totals: 17 36-51 73.
San Jacinto: Sarah Davis 0 2-2 2; Alex Kochner 0 0-1 0; Miranda Lejune 0 2-2 2; Kristel Reid 1 0-0 2; Nekeita Bailey 2 2-4 6; Anika Nottingham 3 1-1 7; Jazsmin Nelson 4 4-4 12; Vanessa Jones 5 0-1 10; Jameela McCarthy 3 0-0 6; Kendra Howard 9 0-0 20; Kaelynn Wilson 7 2-2 16; Totals: 34 13-17 83.
3-pointers: McLennan 3 (Roher 2, Coleman 1), San Jacinto 2 (Howard 2); Total fouls: McLennan 20, San Jacinto 35; Fouled out: San Jacinto (Wilson); Halftime score: San Jacinto 33, McLennan 30; Record: McLennan 2-1.
