The #10 McLennan women upset the #8 South Plains Texans 75-72 to advance to the championship game of the Region V Tournament at The Highlands.
McLennan was fired up to start the game. Already up 10-8 with five minutes to play in the first quarter, the squad went on a 5-0 run started with a Danai Lewis hook shot to go up 15-8. South Plains trimmed the lead to three, 15-12, before McLennan closed the quarter on a 4-0 run capped by Kennedi Ard 3-pointer, 19-12.
South Plains stopped the run with a pair of Isabel Joai free throws to open the second but Ard quickly sank another 3-pointer from the top of the key to give McLennan the largest lead of the game, 22-14. The Lady Texans responded with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 24 with 5:27 to play before the half. It was a tight game the rest of the way with McLennan leading 34-33 at the break.
The third quarter started much the same as the second as the teams traded baskets and the lead. McLennan led 44-42 with five minutes to go in the period. South Plains gained the momentum, ending on a 9-0 run to carry at 51-44 lead into the fourth.
McLennan began to chip away at the Lady Texans lead and trailed 55-50 with 7:45 remaining in the game. That's when the momentum swung in McLennan's favor. Lewis drained a shot from the post and Ingram went a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line following a Lady Texan personal foul and two technical fouls to put McLennan up 58-55 with 6:50 on the clock. Another Lewis bucket would make it a seven-point McLennan lead. South Plains began to rally, tying the game at 62. A Ingram jumper and another Ard 3-pointer quickly put McLennan back up by five, 67-62. A Brendha De Jesus bucket cut the lead to three before Ard drained another 3-pointer, 70-64. Taliah Cornish hit three free throws for the Lady Texans to pull the squad back within three with a minute to play, 70-67. Ingram added a layup for McLennan, 72-67, then stole the ball on South Plains next possession. Taylor Craver went 1-2 from the line to make it 73-67 in McLennan's favor with 27.14 seconds to go. Bella Belong's put back for the Lady Texans followed by an Ingram free throw for McLennan made it 74-69. De Jesus hit a 3-pointer with 10 seconds to play pulling the Lady Texans within two, 74-72. Gooden hit a free throw to go up, 75-72 with 1.2 seconds on the clock. South Plains advanced the ball but couldn't get the shot off.
Ingram led McLennan with 22 points. Gooden and Ard added 18 and 14, respectively.
McLennan: Hannah Mouton 0 0-0 0; Jalayah Ingram 3 16-20 22; Andrea Johnson 0 1-2 1; Daija Mitchell 0 1-2 1; Kennedi Ard 5 0-0 14; Charnelle Hoof 2 0-0 4; Tajenae Gooden 6 4-6 18; Taylor Craver 0 1-2 1; Tyla Roberts 0 0-2 0; Amerie Flowers 1 4-4 6; Danai Lewis 3 2-2 8; Totals: 20 29-40 75.
South Plains: Chisom Oguego 2 0-0 4; Maya Braxton-Young 0 3-4 3; Saher Alizada 2 0-0 6; Taliah Cornish 7 3-3 22; Shrouq Amer 0 0-0 0; Isabel Joai 3 9-12 16; Brendha De Jesus 1 0-3 2; Dilangue Cruz 0 0-0 0; Bella Belong 7 5-7 19; Totals: 22 20-29 72.
First Quarter score: McLennan 19, South Plains 12; Halftime score: McLennan 34, South Plains 33; Third quarter score: South Plains 51, McLennan 44; 3-pointers: McLennan 6 (Ard 4, Gooden 2), South Plains 8 (Cornish 5, Alizada 2, Joai 1); Total fouls: McLennan 23, South Plains 28; Fouled out: Oguego (South Plains), Flowers (McLennan), Hoof (McLennan); Record: McLennan 27-3 (14-2).
