In a game that came down to the final seconds, the McLennan Highlassies fell to the Jacksonville Lady Jaguars 58-55.
Both teams struggled to score early in the game. The game was tied at seven with 5:06 to play in the first quarter. Jacksonville ended the quarter on a 13-0 run to take the 20-7 lead into the second quarter. The Highlassies found their groove, scoring nine points to open the quarter. McLennan cut the lead to four several times down the stretch and trailed by five at the half, 31-26.
McLennan opened the third quarter on a 4-0 run to cut the lead to one, 31-30. The Lady Jaguars pulled away again, leading by as many as seven and taking the 43-38 advantage into the final quarter. The Highlassies opened the quarter on a run once again, 6-0 this time to tie the game at 44 with 8:08 remaining in the game. McLennan took its first lead since the first basket of the game at 53-51 with 4:35 to go. The Lady Jaguars used a 6-0 run to take the 57-53 lead with 13.06 to play and the Highlassies were unable to recover.
Velma Mitchell led the Highlassies with 16 points and Nadia Hayes scored 11.
In men's action, the Highlanders demolished the Paul Quinn JV 117-55.
The game was close through the first nine minutes of play. McLennan led 23-19 with 11:30 on the clock. The Highlanders led by as many as 18 late in the half. Paul Quinn rallied to cut the lead to 13 at the half, 48-35. The second half was all McLennan as the Highlanders cruised to the easy victory.
Julius Palmer and Shannon Bogues led the Highlanders with 22 points each. Palmer pulled down 16 rebounds to record the double-double. Fred Jackson also had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Jacksonville: Quai Smith-Sims 0 2-6 2; Antonija Bozic 5 0-0 14; Khilyn Cooper 6 2-4 14; Brianna Perry 3 1-2 9; Florence Sifa 4 3-4 11; Lorenzia Nowlin 1 0-0 2; Flora Akingbade 1 0-0 2;
Allyson Hinds 1 0-0 2; Shaundrea Rhymes 2 0-2 4; Totals: 22 8-18 58.
McLennan: Patrickia Daily 1 0-0 3; Dariel Johnson 2 2-4 6; Jordan Mullins 2 0-0 4; Velma Mitchell 6 3-6 16; Jaylonn Walker 1 0-0 3; Chelsi Woodard 1 3-3 5; Nadia Haynes 3 5-6 11; Ashley Moore 1 3-4 5; Mirackle Sallie 0 2-10 2; Totals: 17 18-33 55.
3-pointers: Jacksonville 5 (Bozic 4, Perry 1), McLennan 3 (Daily 1, Mitchell 1, Walker 1); Total fouls: Jacksonville 25, McLennan 20; Halftime score: Jacksonvill3 31, McLennan 26; Record: McLennan 2-5.
Paul Quinn JV: Clarence James 1 0-0 3; Traevonne Greene 2 0-0 6; Devon Glenn 0 0-0 0; Dushuntae Palmore 7 1-2 17; Adrian Demus 5 2-2 14; Marlon Moore 6 2-4 15; Totals: 21 5-8 55.
McLennan: Kyle Brennon 0 0-0 0; Zarious Wilson 7 0-0 16; Hayden Hunter 0 0-0 0; Shannon Bogues 11 0-0 22; Isaiah Gurley 7 4-5 19; Jashawn Talton 7 0-0 15; Daniel Pinho Severo 5 3-4 13; Fred Jackson 5 0-0 10; Julius Palmer 10 2-4 11; Totals: 52 9-13 117.
3-pointers: Paul Quinn JV 7 (Palmore 2, Demus 2, Greene 2, James 1), McLennan 4 (Wilson 2, Gurley 1, Talton 1); Total fouls: Paul Quinn JV 15, McLennan 11; Halftime score: McLennan 48, Paul Quinn JV 35; Record: 9-0.
