The McLennan Highlanders went on the road and squeaked out a 75-66 win over the Southwestern Christian Rams this afternoon in Terrell.
McLennan controlled the game early on, opening on a 9-0 run as they held Southwestern Christian scoreless for over five minutes to start the game. The Highlanders held the Rams at arm's length for the majority of the first half, leading by as many as 13. McLennan led by 11, 26-15, with five minutes to play in the first half. Southwestern Christian began to rally with back-to-back 3-pointers from Ballard followed by a three-point play by Comeaux pulled the Rams within two, 26-24. The Highlanders held the Southwestern at bay and led 36-30 at the half.
The second half was a physical and intense battle. Both teams went into bonus before the halfway point. McLennan led by seven a majority of the way. The Highlanders extended the lead to nine on a Khalif Allim jumper with 7:39 remaining in the game. The two teams traded baskets before the Highlanders took the first double-digit lead of the half on a CJ Hall jumper with 2:13 to go, 68-58. Jared Clawson added a pair of free throws less than 30 seconds later to give McLennan a 12-point cushion at 70-58. Southwestern Christian pulled within seven at 73-66 with 30 seconds to play. CJ Hall added a pair of free throws to secure the win.
CJ Hall led the Highlanders with 16 points. Jared Clawson and Jaylen Thompson added 14 and 10, respectively.
McLennan: Nick Shogbonyo 2 3-4 7; CJ Hall 5 6-9 16; Dayvaughn Froe 1 3-3 6; Jaylen Thompson 5 0-1 10; A.J. Barnes 2 1-2 5; Jared Clawson 4 4-5 14; Omarion Smith 3 0-1 6; Mason Lockhart 1 0-0 2; Khalif Allim 3 3-4 9; Totals: 26 20-29 75.
Southwestern Christian: Donald Ballard 4 2-4 14; Donta Bonds 2 0-1 4; Michael Coleman 1 3-4 5; Remon Tuck 3 3-3 9; Reginald Comeaux 1 1-1 3; Arnold McGowan 2 0-0 6; Cameron Estill 5 3-4 16; Xavier Brown 1 0-0 2; Edriese Jenkins 0 0-0 0; Wryan Williams 1 0-0 3; Ja'Kyrie Robinson 0 0-0 0; Jamari Lawrence 3 0-0 7; Totals: 23 12-16 66.
3-pointers: McLennan 3 (Clawson 2, Froe 1), Southwestern Christian 8 (Ballard 4, McGowan 3, Lawrence 1, Williams 1); Total fouls: McLennan 18, Southwestern Christian 24; Halftime score: McLennan 36, Southwestern Christian 30; Record: McLennan 19-4 (6-1).