The seventh-ranked McLennan women's basketball squad is heading into the winter break with a 77-53 victory over the Paris Dragons.
Paris got the opening tip but McLennan dominated the remainder of the first quarter. A bucket-and-one by Danai Lewis started a 17-0 McLennan drive that included 3-pointers by Shakira Brown and Trinity Butler. A pair of Aliyah Duncan free throws finally put Paris on the board with 4:58 to play in the first. The Dragons' first field goal wouldn't come until the 3:42 mark. McLennan led by as many as 19 in the quarter and held the 25-9 advantage after one quarter of play.
McLennan continued to roll in the second period, opening on a 9-0 run with points from Tajenae Gooden, Lewis and Lanaijha Johnson. A shot off the glass by Johnson with 5:32 to go in the quarter would give McLennan its largest lead of 25 at 34-9. Paris made a small rally late in the period to trim the lead to 18 at the break, 42-24.
The two teams traded baskets for the majority of the third. McLennan led by 20, 52-32, with three minutes left in the frame when the squad made a small run. Gooden and Charravia Smith combined for a 6-0 run to make it a 26-point lead at 58-32. Paris responded with a 4-0 run to cut it to 22 going to the fourth, 58-36.
McLennan cruised through the final frame, leading by as many as 29 to secure the win.
Lanaijha Johnson led the way with 18 points, and Trinity Butler added 16. Tajenae Gooden and Danai Lewis scored 14 and 13, respectively.
McLennan: Nevaeh Otis 0 0-0 0; Kaedynce Cox-Dunlap 0 0-0 0; Ar'Mya Amos-Horsley 0 2-2 2; Shakira Brown 2 0-0 5;Charnelle Hoof 0 1-2 1; Tajenae Gooden 5 4-7 14; Charravia Smith 3 0-0 6; Trinity Butler 5 5-6 16; Joy Dau 1 0-0 2; Danai Lewis 5 3-3 13; Taniya Cruthird 0 0-0 0; Lanaijha Johnson 8 2-2 18; Kamara Effit 0 0-0 0; Totals: 29 17-22 77.
Paris: Devin Long 0 0-0 0; Jayme Poindexter 3 3-7 9; Serena Anukem 3 0-0 6; Mackenzie Young 0 0-0 0; Aliyah Duncan 3 5-7 11; Valajah Jackson 3 1-1 8; Anasia Wilcox 0 0-0 0; Janaiya Fisher 3 7-8 14; Totals: 17 16-23 53.
Halftime score: McLennan 42, Paris 24; 3-pointers: McLennan 2 (Butler 1, Brown 1), Paris2 (Alston 1, Jackson 1); Total fouls: McLennan 19, Paris 18; Fouled out: Hoof (McLennan); Record: McLennan 12-1.
