The 11th-ranked McLennan women's basketball squad steamrolled the Southwestern Christian Lady Rams 96-45 to close out the first round of North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference play.
A Tajenae Gooden jumper just 10 seconds into the game began the scoring for McLennan but both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Zoe Brown tied the game at two with a shot off the glass for the Lady Rams but McLennan took control with an 11-0 run over the next four and a half minutes of play. McLennan continued to push, extending the lead to 17, 23-6, with a minute to play in the quarter. Back-to-back baskets by Brown for Southwestern Christian in the final 40 seconds made it a 13-point McLennan lead after the first, 34-12.
McLennan broke the game open with another 11-0 run, including four points each from Taylor Craver and Charnelle Hoof, to start the second. The squad rolled through the quarter, pushing the lead to 29 at the break, 50-21.
With the game already firmly in hand for McLennan, the reserves got a chance to gain some valuable playing time in the second half. A good rotation of starters and reserves helped McLennan extend the lead to 36 at the end of the third, 73-37, and cruise through the final quarter to the lop-sided victory.
Charnelle Hoof led McLennan with 20 points, and Kennedi Ard scored 19. Hannah Mouton chipped in 11 and Taylor Craver scored 10.
Southwestern Christian: Elasia Yarborough 6 4-4 17; Cori Brown 0 0-0 0; Zoe Brown 5 2-3 13; Kalin Bradley 1 3-4 6; Saniya Dewaters 1 0-1 2; Alexis Taylor 0 0-0 0; Takiyah Lewis 0 1-2 1; Nyah Morgan 1 4-4 6; Totals: 14 14-17 45.
McLennan: Hannah Mouton 5 0-0 11; Jalayah Ingram 1 0-0 2; Andrea Johnson 0 2-2 2; Daija Mitchell 2 2-3 6; Kennedi Ard 8 0-0 19; Charnelle Hoof 9 2-4 20; Tajenae Gooden 3 1-1 8; Madison Nesbit 1 1-2 3; Taylor Craver 4 2-2 10; Tyla Roberts1 1-2 3; Amerie Flowers 3 3-4 9; Danai Lewis 1 1-7 3; Totals: 40 15-27 96.
First Quarter score: McLennan 23, Southwestern Christian 10; Halftime score: McLennan 50, Southwestern Christian 21; Third quarter score: McLennan 73-37; 3-pointers: Southwestern Christian 3 (Bradley 1, Z. Brown 1, Yarbrough 1), McLennan 5 (Ard 3, Gooden 1, Mouton 1); Total fouls: Southwestern Christian 18, McLennan 22; Fouled out: Flowers (McLennan), C. Brown (Southwestern Christian); Record: McLennan 18-2 (7-1).
