Highlanders give Gill 400th win; Highlassies come up short

The McLennan Highlanders led from start to finish as they defeated the Collin Cougars 72-56 in the final home game of the 2017-18 season. The win marks Kevin Gill's 400th victory as the head coach of the McLennan men's basketball program.

Xaiver Armstead drained one of his six 3-pointers from the wing to begin the scoring less than two minutes into the contest. The Highlanders led 7-6 with 14:40 to play in the first half and used a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to break away. McLennan continued to hold the 10-point lead at 22-12 with 8:40 to go before intermission. The Highlanders put together a 6-0 run to extend their lead to 16 with six minutes to go in the half. Collin rallied late to cut the McLennan lead to 10 at the break, 36-26.

McLennan opened the second half on another 6-0 run to extend the lead back to 16, 42-26. Collin put together another rally down the stretch and pulled within seven points with seven minutes remaining in the game, 52-45. The Highlanders didn't give in. A Garrett Shaw 3-pointer with 5:37 to go put McLennan back up by double figures and they continued to pull away for the convincing victory.

Xaiver Armstead led the Highlanders with 26 points and Garrett Shaw added 12. Javen Hedgeman and Dayante McClellan scored 10 points each.

In women's action, the Collin Lady Cougars took control late in the fourth quarter to steal the 88-66 win over the McLennan Highlassies.

McLennan opened the game hot from three-point range, scoring 18 of their 22 first-quarter points from beyond the arc. Jaylonn Walker, Velma Mitchell and KeeKee Nowlin all drained long balls, and the Highlassies led 22-21 after one period of play. Collin took the lead on an Asia Davis 3-pointer with 8:58 to play in the second quarter, 24-22. The Lady Cougars extended their lead to six, 36-30 with just under four minutes to play in the first half. McLennan cut the lead in half at the break, 38-35.

The Highlassies were rolling to start the third quarter, opening on an 8-0 run to build a five-point lead, 43-38. Collin tied the game at 43 with 5:21 to go in the third quarter. The two teams traded baskets down the stretch and went into the final period tied at 54. Collin led 62-60 with 7:25 remaining in the game. McLennan's shooters went cold allowing the Lady Cougars to pull away with a 15-2 run to take the win.

Jaylonn Walker led the Highlassies with 20 points. Anndrea Lloyd and Velma Mitchell added 14 and 13, respectively.

McLennan travels to Temple Saturday to continue conference play. The women's game will tip off at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 4 p.m.

McLennan 72, Collin 56
Collin: C.J. Obinwa 2 0-0 6; Jonathyn Washington 0 0-0 0; Tyrick Bennett 1 0-0 2; Bradley Mason 0 0-0 0; Jalen Weber 5 5-6 15; Tajzmel Sherman 6 6-7 20; Lamont Simmons 0 0-0 0; Seth White 0 0-0 0; Neil Blanchard 1 0-1 2; Jackson Nobles 4 2-2 10; Ryan Flores 0 1-2 1; Josh Apple 0 0-0 0; Totals: 19 14-18 56.

McLennan: Javen Hedgeman3 4-5 10; Marquez Cooper 1 0-0 2; Xaiver Armstead 9 2-4 26; Garrett Shaw 4 3-6 12; Jashawn Talton 1 0-0 2; Dayante McClellan 4 2-2 10; Daniel Pinho Severo 4 0-0 8; Jordan Skipper-Brown 0 0-0 0; Sasa Vuksanvic 1 0-0 2; Totals: 27 11-17 72.

3-pointers: Collin 4 (Obinwa 2, Sherman 2), McLennan 7 (Armstead 6, Shaw 1); Total fouls: Collin 19, McLennan17; Fouled out: Talton (McLennan); Halftime score: McLennan 36, Collin 26; Record: McLennan 24-4 (7-3).

Collin 82, McLennan 66
Collin: Asia Willard 1 5-5 8; Asia Davis 5 2-2 14; Jordynn Hernandez 1 0-0 2; Briana Marshall 7 1-2 19; Jasmin Taylor 9 1-2 24; Ashtyn Beal 4 4-6 12; Alyssa Powers 1 0-0 3; Totals: 28 13-17 82.

McLennan: Colandria Haynes 0 0-0 0; JonNá McDonald 0 0-0 0; Shekenia Green 1 0-0 2; Velma Mitchell 5 0-0 13; KeeKee Nowlin 3 1-2 8; Jaylonn Walker 6 6-8 20; Shankia Clark 0 0-0 0; Nadia Hayes 0 0-0 0; Chiqueria Cook 3 3-5 9; Anndrea Lloyd 5 4-5 14; Totals: 23 14-20 66.

3-pointers: Collin 13 (Taylor 5, Marshall 4, Davis 2, Willard 1, Powers 1), McLennan 6 (Mitchell 3, Walker 2, Nowlin 1); Total fouls: 15, McLennan 14; Halftime score: Collin 38, McLennan 35; Record: McLennan 14-12 (7-5).