The 12th-ranked McLennan women kept their undefeated record in tact with a 60-44 win over the Paris Lady Dragons this afternoon at The Highlands.
McLennan led from the opening finish. It was a low-scoring first half. McLennan opened the game on an 8-0 run including four points from Amerie Flowers. Paris finally got on the board with a pair of free throws from Jaya Johnson with 4:43 to go in the first quarter. The Lady Dragons managed just one field goal and six free throws in the first quarter, allowing McLennan to build a six-point lead going in the second, 14-8.
McLennan opened the second frame on an 8-0 run highlighted by four points from Jalayah Ingram. Paris continued to struggle one the offensive end, and McLennan double its lead at the half to 12, 26-14.
McLennan extended the lead to 15 early in the third quarter following a Tajenae Gooden drive to the basket, 31-16. Paris wasn't allowing McLennan to pull away though. Nevaeh Brown hit two 3-pointers in the quarter for the Lady Dragons, keeping the McLennan lead at 12 going into the final quarter, 39-27.
The fourth quarter was McLennan's chance to pull away for good. The squad held the Lady Dragons to five points in the first five minutes of the frame. McLennan led 48-34 with 4:12 to play and used a 7-3 run to push the lead to 18, putting the game out of reach.
Jalayah Ingram led McLennan with 16 points, and Amerie Flowers added 11.
Paris: Da'Mia Freeman 0 4-6 4; Arayah Ross 2 0-0 5; Nevaeh "Navi" Brown 3 3-3 9; Gabrielle Bradley 1 0-0 2; Jaya Johnson 0 2-2 2; Blessing Teamer 0 1-2 1; ZaKenya "Zee" Thompson 2 4-4 9; Serena Anukem 4 0-0 8; Anasia Wilcox 1 2-2 4; Totals: 13 13-16 44.
McLennan: Hannah Mouton 1 0-0 2; Jalayah Ingram 5 6-6 16; Daija Mitchell 1 0-0 2; Kennedi Ard 3 1-2 7; Charnelle Hoof 2 0-0 4; Tajenae Gooden 2 2-2 6; Madison Nesbit 0 1-2 1; Taylor Craver 0 3-4 3; Tyla Roberts 2 2-4 6; Amerie Flowers 4 3-5 11; Danai Lewis 0 0-0 0; Pauline Maccarthy 1 0-0 2; Totals: 21 18-25 60.
First Quarter score: McLennan 14, Paris 8; Halftime score: McLennan 26, Paris 14; Third quarter score: McLennan 39, Paris 27; 3-pointers: Paris 5 (Brown 3, Ross 2, Thompson 1), McLennan 0; Total fouls: Paris 19, McLennan 16; Fouled out: Thompson (Paris); Record: McLennan 7-0.
