In a nail biter, the fourth-ranked McLennan women moved to 3-0 in conference play with a 60-55 road win over the Cisco Lady Wranglers.
The game was tit-for-tat throughout the first quarter. Cisco's Abrielle Grissett drained a 3-pointer from the side to start the scoring. McLennan got on the board with a jumper in the lane from Aniya Williams. The two teams traded baskets and the game was tied at 20 following one quarter of play.
Cisco and McLennan both made small runs in the second. McLennan led 24-23 with 7:37 to go before the half. The Lady Wranglers went on a 7-0 run to take the 31-24 lead with 4:09 to go. McLennan then ended the frame on a 4-0 run with baskets by Alaina Paine and Williams to trail 31-28 at the break.
Cisco pushed the lead to five to start the third quarter but McLennan rallied. A 6-0 composed of two buckets by Williams and one by Ingram made it 34-33 with 4:39 to play in the quarter. Once again, the teams traded the lead with McLennan holding the one-point advantage going to the fourth, 40-39.
Cisco had the momentum to start the final period, opening on a 9-0 to lead 48-40 with seven minutes to play. McLennan didn't back down and rallied to take the 53-52 on a Paine jumper with 2:52 remaining. McLennan pushed the lead to five with a Paine and-one and a Williams free throw, 57-52. Cisco pulled within two with 45 seconds to go but McLennan was able to hold them off at the free throw line.
Alaina Paine led the way for McLennan with 17 points. Mersadez Nephew added 15 and Aniya Williams scored 13.
McLennan: Aysia Ward 2 0-0 4; Alaina Paine 6 3-3 11; Mersadez Nephew 4 4-4 15; Jalayah Ingram3 1-4 7; Peyton Hearvey 0 1-2 1; Aniya Williams 6 1-2 13; Kalisha Phillips 1 1-1 3; Pauline Maccarthy 0 0-0 0; Totals: 22 11-16 60.
Cisco: Abrielle Grissett 2 0-0 6; Sarah Racaud 5 0-0 15; Maya Simon 2 1-2 5; Demetria Smith 5 1-2 11; Zanyra Adams 5 0-2 12; Eva Fernandez 2 2-3 6.
Totals: 21 4-9 55.
First Quarter Score: McLennan 20, Cisco 20; Halftime score: Cisco 31, McLennan 28; Third Quarter Score: McLennan 40, Cisco 39; 3-pointers: McLennan , Cisco 9 (Racaud 5, Grissett 2, Adams 2); Total fouls: McLennan , Cisco 18; Fouled out: Fernandez (Cisco); Record: McLennan 14-3 (3-0).
