Highlanders outlast Temple, Bogues hits career milestone

In a heated rivalry matchup that came down to the final buzzer, the No. 5 McLennan Highlanders defeated the Temple Leopards 100-92 Wednesday evening to remain undefeated.

The Highlanders found themselves in uncharted territory in the first half, trailing most of the way. Temple opened the game on a 9-0 run, putting McLennan in an early deficit. Shannon Bogues drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 14:32 remaining in the first half to begin a 7-0 run for the Highlanders, trimming the Temple lead to two. The Leopards extended the lead to six, 20-14, with 11:09 to go in the half. Bogues then got loose for a drive to the basket to score his 1000th point in his MCC career. Temple took their first double-digit lead at 26-16 and continued to lead by 10, 39-29, with just under five minutes to go on the clock. McLennan picked up the pace sparked by back-to-back baskets by Derrick Farquharson. A 7-0 Highlander run cut the Leopard lead to three. Temple led 43-38 with 1:16 to go. McLennan's Chamar Hawkins drained four consecutive free throws and a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Highlanders their first lead of the game, 45-43, going into the locker room.

Bogues and the Highlanders began the second half with a renewed sense of purpose. Bogues began the second half with a high-flying dunk. The game was tied at 53 with 15:30 to play. Farquharson and Zarious Wilson gave McLennan the six-point lead, 59-53, with back-to-back 3-pointers from well beyond the arc. Temple rallied to tie the game at 68 with 8:49 to go. The game was tied at 77 with 5:38 to play. Bogues and Isaiah Gurley stepped up for the Highlanders, combining for a 7-2 run over the next two minutes. A tip-in by Fred Jackson with 3:30 to go gave McLennan their largest lead of the game, 88-79. The Highlanders led 91-86 when Temple began the intentional fouls. McLennan went 9-10 from the free throw line and held the Leopards to just six points in the final minute to seal the win. 

Farquharson recorded his second consecutive double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds to pace the Highlanders. Gurley and Bogues added 21 and 19, respectively. Wilson scored 13 points and Jackson added 10.

Temple: John Mouton 1 2-2 4; Cullin Johnson 2 0-0 5; Kaelin Jackson 8 2-2 23; Chris West 1 2-3 4; J. R. Adams 4 4-5 14; Torenzo Saunders 4 4-4 12; Malik Malone 3 7-8 14; Jon-Reese Woodson 0 0-2 0; Max Portmann 7 2-3 16; Totals: 30 23-29 92.

McLennan: Kyle Brennon 0 0-0 0; Zarious Wilson 4 3-4 12; Chamar Hawkins 1 4-4 7; Hayden Hunter 1 0-0 2; Derrick Farquharson 9 3-3 23; Shannon Bogues 8 2-2 19; Isaiah Gurley 7 3-6 21; Jashawn Talton 1 0-0 2; Daniel Pinho Severo 1 0-0 3; Fred Jackson 4 2-2 10; Julius Palmer 0 0-0 0; Totals: 36 18-24 100.

3-pointers: Temple 9 (Jackson 5, Adams 2, Johnson 1, Malone 1), McLennan 10 (Gurley 4, Farquharson 2, Wilson 2, Hawkins 1, Bogues 1); Total fouls: McLennan 23, Temple 21; Fouled out: Temple (West); Halftime score: McLennan 45, Temple 43; Record: McLennan 23-0 (4-0).