WACO (February 11, 2012) -- In a low scoring affair, the McLennan Highlassies defeated the Temple Lady Leopards 45-38 this afternoon at The Highlands.
The Highlassies opened the game on a 5-0 run and led 8-4 with 16:40 to play in the first half. Temple tied the game at eight less than two minutes later. MCC responded with an 8-0 run to take the 16-8 lead. Both teams went scoreless for the next five minutes and the Highlassies held the 21-14 lead at halftime.
Temple opened the second half on a 10-2 run to take its first lead of the game. The Lady Leopards held the 28-27 lead with 10:44 to play in the game. MCC used a 7-0 run in the next two minutes to take a six-point lead. The Highlassies extended the lead to 10, the first double-digit lead of the game, with three minutes left in the game. Temple cut the lead to six but was unable to pull any closer.
Haylea Jackson and Ashlyn Ward led the Highlassies with 9 points each.
In men's action, the Highlanders defeated the Temple Leopards
The two teams traded baskets for the first eight minutes of play. The Highlanders broke the game open with a 7-0 run midway through the half. MCC extended the lead to 15 down the stretch and held the 37-23 advantage at the break.
Temple opened the second half on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to seven but MCC pulled away again, extending the lead to 18 with 11:38 to go in the game. The Leopards rallied again, cutting the lead to nine less than three minutes later. The Highlanders pulled away again down the stretch, leading by as many as 18 enroute to the win.
Jordan Clark led the Highlanders with 18 points. Jeffery Ricard, Bobby Hatchett and Chris Harpe scored 12 each.
MCC returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to Ranger. The women will tip off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30 p.m.
Temple: Chanel Miller 3 2-2 8; Rebekah Knudson 1 0-0 2; Ashley Rankine 2 0-0 6; Alishia Jones 3 8-8 14; Brittany Gray 2 2-2 6; Danielle Lofton 1 0-0 2; Totals: 12 12-12 38.
McLennan: Haylea Jackson 3 2-2 9; Briah Blakely 0 1-2,1; Taylor Collier 2 0-2 4; Dominique Taylor 2 0-0 6; Ashlyn Ward 3 0-0 9; Jasmine Evans 2 0-2 4; Traonna Shedrick 4 0-0 8; Sondra Flippin 0 4-4,4; Totals 16 7-12 45.
3-pointers: Temple 2 (Rankine 2), McLennan 6 (Ward 3, Taylor 2, Jackson 1); Total fouls: Temple 16, McLennan 13; Halftime score: McLennan 21, Temple 14; Record: McLennan 7-16 (3-6).
Temple: Joe Miles 0 1-2 1; Earl Graves 9 5-6 23; Brandon Thompson 4 0-0 11; Mark Hopkins 1 0-0 3; Joel Devastey 1 2-2 4; DeMarcus Johnson 3 0-1 6; Jacoby Harrison 5 3-5 13; Totals: 23 11-16 61.
McLennan: Derico Dandridge 2 0-0 4; Malcolm Hamilton 1 0-2 2; Jeffery Ricard 5 2-2 12; Bobby Hatchett 4 4-5 12; Jerran Young 3 1-2 8; Chris Harpe 6 0-0 12; Jordan Clark 7 4-4 18; DeChriston McKinney 1 0-0 2; Cedric Jones 2 0-0 4; Tevin Russell 0 4-4 4; Totals: 31 15-19 78.
3-pointers: Temple 4 (Thompson 3, Hopkins 1), McLennan 1 (Young 1); Total fouls: Temple 14, McLennan 18; Fouled out: Temple (Johnson), McLennan (McKinney); Halftime score: McLennan 37, Temple 23; Record: McLennan: 22-4 (6-2).
