Highlassies come up short against LSU-Eunice

In women's action, the Highlassies fell to LSU-Eunice 70-59 in their final tune-up before the start of conference play next week.
 
McLennan opened with a 4-0 compiled of a quick bucket by Mele Kailahi and a pair of free throws from Miannah Little. Both teams struggled to find their offensive groove. McLennan led by four, 12-8, with 2:35 to play in the first quarter. LSU-Eunice ended the half on a 7-0 run to take the 15-12 advantage after one quarter of play.
 
Raija Todd's bucket and one for McLennan tied the game at 15 with seven minutes remaining in the first half. The Highlassies trailed by two, 21-19, midway through the second quarter. The Bengals pulled away down the stretch, ending the quarter on a 15-2 run to take the 36-21 lead at halftime.
 
McLennan came out fired up to start the third quarter. Miannah Little and McKenzie Piper combined for an 8-0 Highlassie run, cutting the lead to seven, 36-29. LSU-Eunice rallied once again and doubled its lead to 14 by the end of the third quarter, 55-41.
 
The Highlassies didn't back down and continued to put up a fight in the fourth. McLennan pulled within 11 multiple times in the final period but that was as close as they could get.
 
Mele Kailahi led McLennan with 15 points and Miannah Little added 13.
 
McLennan will open conference play Wednesday, Feb. 3, on the road at Southwestern Christian in Terrell. Women's action begins at 3 p.m., followed by the men's game at 5 p.m.
 
LSU-Eunice 70, McLennan 59
LSU-Eunice: Tahjea Smith 5 3-6 13; Chelsey White 0 3-4 3; Alona Washington 6 2-4 16; Trastasia Hester 1 5-5 8; Brooklyn Fontenot 4 0-0 9; Jackie Sims 0 0-0 0; Kendall Miller 0 2-2 2; Abigail Lynch 0 0-0 0; Trinity Harold 2 0-0 5; Tanisha Hester 6 2-2 14; Totals: 24 17027 70.
 
McLennan: Raija Todd1 4-5 6; Miannah Little 3 5-6 13; Jaidyn Fontenette 0 0-0 0; Ahlura Lofton3 2-2 9; McKenzie Piper 4 1-2 9; Mele Kailahi 5 5-5 15; Mersadez Nephew 2 0-0 4; Judith Moya 0 0-0 0; Brielle Dorsey 0 1-2 1; Marquise Nelson 1 0-0 2; Mariona Garcia 0 0-0 0; Totals: 19 18-22 59.
 
3-pointers: LSU-Eunice 5 (Washington 2, Hester 1, Harold 1, Fontenot 1), McLennan 3 (Little 2, Lofton 1); Total fouls: LSU-Eunice 22, McLennan 20; Fouled out: LSU-Eunice (White); Halftime score: LSU-Eunice 36, McLennan 21; Record: McLennan 1-3.