The McLennan women's basketball squad closed out conference play and claimed a share of the conference championship with a 61-42 victory over the Southwestern Christian Lady Rams this afternoon in Terrell.
The two teams kept it close throughout the first half. McLennan opened on a 4-0 run with a pair of free throws from Charnelle Hoof followed by a bucket in the paint from Danai Lewis. An up-and-under basket by Kalin Bradley put the Lady Rams on the board just a minute into the game. McLennan continued to lead by four, 8-4 with 6:45 to go in the quarter. A 3-pointer from Tajenae Gooden followed by a free throw from Lewis doubled the McLennan lead, 12-4. McLennan continued to push, extending the lead to 13 late in the quarter by a Zoe Brown jumper in the final seconds cut it to 11 at the break, 21-10.
McLennan extended the lead back to 13, 29-16 with 4:37 to play before halftime. The Lady Ram rallied however, utilizing 7-0 run down the stretch to cut the lead to five at intermission, 31-26.
McLennan took control in the third quarter. Southwestern Christian opened the with a 3-pointer by Brown but McLennan responded with a 15-0 run to break the game open. McLennan allowed the Lady Rams to just five points in the period as they pushed the lead to 21, 52-31. The final quarter was much the same as McLennan rolled to the win.
Tajenae Gooden led McLennan with 12 points.
McLennan: Hannah Mouton 3 0-2 7; Jalayah Ingram 3 2-2 9; Andrea Johnson 2 1-2 5; Daija Mitchell 0 1-2 1; Kennedi Ard 2 0-0 5; Charnelle Hoof 2 4-4 8; Tajenae Gooden 3 5-6 12; Taylor Craver 1 0-0 2; Tyla Roberts 0 0-0 0; Amerie Flowers 3 0-0 6; Danai Lewis 2 2-6 6; Totals: 21 15-24 61.
Southwestern Christian: Elasia Yarborough 0 2-2 2; Cori Brown 0 0-0 0; Zoe Brown 5 1-2 12; Kalin Bradley 2 4-6 9; Saniya Dewaters 0 0-2 0; Takiyah Lewis 1 2-2 4; Kaliyah Moss 1 0-0 2; Nyah Morgan 6 1-2 13; Totals: 15 10-16 42.
First Quarter score: McLennan 21, Southwestern Christian 10; Halftime score: McLennan 31, Southwestern Christian 26; Third quarter score: McLennan 52, Southwestern Christian 31; 3-pointers: McLennan 4 (Mouton 1, Ingram 1, Ard 1, Hoof 1), Southwestern Christian 2 (Z. Brown 1, Bradley 1); Total fouls: McLennan 12, Southwestern Christian 16; Fouled out: Yarborough (Southwestern Christian); Record: McLennan 25-3 (14-2).
