In a hard fought battle, the McLennan Highlassies defeated the Coastal Bend Cougars 62-59 Saturday afternoon at The Highlands.
McLennan opened the game on a 6-0 run and built a 10-point lead, 13-3, with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Highlassies led 18-11 at the end of the first quarter and increased the lead to 10 at the half, 30-20.
McLennan came out cold to start the third quarter, only scoring one 3-pointer in the first seven minutes of play. The Highlassies' struggle allowed the Cougars to pull within one, 33-32, with six minutes to play in the third. McLennan outscored Coastal Bend 15-8 to end the quarter to take the 48-40 lead into the final period. The Cougars cut the lead to two with 19.75 seconds to play. McLennan's Ariana Sanders drained two free throws with six seconds to go to seal the win.
Caylinne Martin led the Highlassies with 15 points. Tayla Taylor and Diamond Ervin scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
McLennan 62, Coastal Bend 59
Coastal Bend: Michayla Wiggs 1 1-1 3; Zandra Emmanuel 5 1-2 11; Sonerka White 5 3-4 16; Dezarai Spencer 2 1-2 5; Emily Azubell 2 1-2 6; Kristina Kana 2 0-0 5; Daniela Azubell 5 0-0 13; Totals: 22 7-11 59.
McLennan: Kiana Martin 1 0-0 3; Kyera Coleman 1 0-0 3; Victoria Seay 3 0-0 7; Diamond Ervin 5 0-0 11; Ariana Sanders 4 1-2 9; Raven Ringo 0 1-2 1; Tayla Taylor 5 3-5 13; Caylinne Martin 6 3-7 15; Totals: 25 8-16 62.
3-pointers: Coastal Bend 8 (White 3, D. Azubell 3, E. Azubell 1, Kana 1), McLennan 4 (K. Martin 1, Coleman 1, Seay 1, Ervin 1); Total fouls: Coastal Bend 20, McLennan 16; Fouled out: Coastal Bend (Emmanuel); Halftime score: McLennan 30, Coastal Ben 20); Record: McLennan 2-5.
