In an intense, high-energy battle the McLennan Highlanders avenged an earlier loss to Angelina with an 87-72 victory over the Roadrunners tonight at The Highlands.
Daylon Dickerson began the scoring for the Highlanders with a pair of free throws less than 30 seconds into the game. Angelina's Keddric Mays quickly tied the game at two with a layup. McLennan created a small cushion with a 7-0 highlighted by a rebound and put back by Mason Lockhart to lead 9-2 with 16:52 to go in the first half. The Highlanders kept the Roadrunners at arm's length for the next five plus minutes of play, leading by eight at 20-12 with just over 11 minutes to go before the half. Angelina chipped away at the lead, pulling within three several times down the stretch. McLennan pulled away behind strong shooting from Nick Shogbonyo to take the first double-digit lead of the game at 37-27 with just over three minutes to go before the break. The Roadrunners rallied late, cutting the lead to five at halftime 38-33.
Angelina had the momentum to start the second half, opening on an 8-0 run to take the 41-38 lead with 17:06 remaining in the game. An Evan Chatman bucket from the paint for the Highlanders with 16:52 to play ended the Roadrunners' run. Angelina led by one, 54-53, with 11:12 to play. McLennan took the lead on a Shogbonyo bucket that ignited an 11-0 Highlander run to break the game open. The Highlanders continued to push and led by 19 with 4:46 to go, 79-60. Angelina pulled within 14 late in the game but that would be as close as it would get.
Nick Shogbonyo led McLennan with 30 points including six 3-pointers. Jaden Juarez and Russell Foreman added 14 and 12, respectively.
Angelina: Patrick Johnson 5 9-12 19; Kai'Ree Murray 4 2-2 13; Kyle Morgan 0 2-2 2; Chris Carpenter 1 0-0 3; Eddie Evans 3 1-5 8; Keddric Mays II 1 0-0 2; Xavier Owens 0 0-0 0; Terius Maxie 1 0-0 2; Cade Holzman 2 4-4 9; Nehikare Igiehon 5 4-6 14; Totals: 22 22-31 72.
McLennan: Daylon Dickerson 2 3-4 7; Nick Shogbonyo 8-8 30; Jaden Juarez 1 12-12 14; Jhaden Brown 0 0-0 0; Antwone Gonzales 1 4-6 6; Cameron Crockett 1 0-0 2; Jaden Walker 1 1-2 3; Evan Chatman 4 0-0 8; Russell Foreman 5 1-2 12; Mason Lockhart 2 1-2 5; Jude Lambert 0 0-0 0; Totals: 25 30-36 87.
Halftime score: McLennan 38, Angelina 33; 3-pointers: Angelina 6 (Murray 3, Carpenter 1, Evans 1, Holzman 1), McLennan 7 (Shogbonyo 6, Foreman 1); Total fouls: Angelina 25, McLennan 23; Fouled out: Lockhart (McLennan), Johnson (Angelina), Mays (Angelina); Record: McLennan 10-1.
