The 10th-ranked McLennan women's basketball squad smothered Southwestern Christian 81-25 in conference play tonight at The Highlands.
Mersadez Nephew was on fire for McLennan in the first quarter. Nephew drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key 30 seconds into the contest to begin the scoring and scored 16 of the teams points in the frame as they jumped out to a 25-8 lead.
McLennan dominated on both ends of the court in the second quarter. The swarming defense held Southwestern Christian to just three free throws in nine and a half minutes of play. Zoe Brown's 3-pointer with 14 seconds left in the quarter would be the Lady Rams only field goal. McLennan scored 24 points in the quarter, including a put-back by Niyah John at the buzzer, to extend the lead to 35 at halftime, 49-14.
McLennan continued to roll in the third quarter with four players to outscore Southwestern Christian 21-8 in the period to push the lead to 70-22.
The fourth quarter started with a 7-0 McLennan run as the squad cruised to the lop-sided victory.
Mersadez Nephew led McLennan with 30 points, including six 3-pointers. Aniya Williams added 16.
Southwestern Christian: Jaylin Vandunk1 2-4 4; Cori Brown 0 0-0 0; Zoe Brown 1 0-0 3; Kalin Bradley 1 0-0 3; Jewel Brandley 0 0-0 0; Emma-jo Locks 1 1-2 3; Jada Parks 1 2-2 4; Mckenna Linton 0 0-0 0; Shemah Yisrael 0 0-0 0; Aarilyn Johnson 0 0-0 0; Nyah Morgan 2 0-0 4; Mya Cotto 2 0-0 4; Totals: 9 5-8 25.
McLennan: Aysia Ward 2 2-2 6; Alaina Payne 2 0-2 5; Mersadez Nephew 12 0-0 30; Jalayah Ingram 3 1-2 8; Peyton Hearvey 0 1-2 1 ; Niyah Johnson 4 1-6 9; Aniya Williams 7 2-4 16; Kalisha Phillips 3 0-2 6; Totals: 33 7-20 81.
First Quarter score: McLennan 25, Southwestern Christian 8; Halftime score: McLennan 49, Southwestern Christian 14; Third Quarter score: McLennan 70, Southwestern Christian 22; 3-pointers: Southwestern Christian 2 (Z. Brown 1, Bradley 1 ), McLennan 8 (Nephew 6, Payne 1, Ingram1); Total fouls: Southwestern Christian 19, McLennan 15; Record: McLennan 17-5 (6-2).
