MCC Highlanders, Highlassies Top Ranger
 By: Candice Kelm SuperCentex.com Correspondent
 January 16, 2010

The McLennan Highlanders remained perfect in conference play as they defeated the Ranger Rangers 59-52.

The first half was a defensive battle. Ranger held a seven-point lead at the midway point but the Highlanders fought back. Nafis Richardson’s bucket with 2:54 to go gave MCC its fist lead of the game and the Highlanders held the 25-23 lead at halftime.

The Highlanders defense held the Rangers to just four free throws in the first nine minutes of the second half, allowing MCC to extend its lead to 10. The Highlanders led by as many as 13 down the stretch but Ranger wasn’t out of the game. The Rangers pulled within four with 28 seconds to go in the game but Tre Nichols and Nafis Richardson combined to go 5-6 from the free throw line to put the game away.

Nichols and Richardson led MCC with 17 points each. Trell Porter added 12.

Earlier in the afternoon, the McLennan Highlassies defeated the Ranger Lady Rangers 60-49.

The Highlassies started the game on fire with a 14-2 run but the Lady Rangers rallied back, tying the game at 16 with just over 8 minutes to play in the first half. MCC regained the lead on the next possession and held the 27-25 lead at the break.

The Highlassies opened the second half on a 6-0 run to extend the lead to eight. Ranger cut the lead to three with 7:30 to go but MCC pulled away once again. The Highlassies led 55-49 with 1:42 on the clock and went 5-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the win.

Ashley Olvera led MCC with 16 points and Sara Stanley added 10.

MCC returns to action on Monday, traveling to Temple for the women’s game at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.

McLennan: Ashley Olvera 5 6-7 16; Kiara Tate 1 2-2 4; Katie Pavlik 1 2-2 4; Ali Trojacek 5 0-0 8; Kenzi Johnson 3 0-0 6; Nikkitti Scott 2 12- 5; Ashley Matson 1 0- 2; Sara Stanley 4 2-4 10; Macy Wischmeier 1 2-2 5. Totals: 21 15-19 60.

Ranger: Julisa Denton 5 0-0 11; Adriene Davis 5 2-2 14; Aleshia Carruthers 6 0-0 14; Ta’Niel Lewis 0 0-2 0; Lesslie Paz 2 0-0 4; Shauniece Lewis 2 2-2 6. Totals: 20 4-6 49.

3-pointers: McLennan 3 (Trojacek 2, Wischmeier 1), Ranger 5 (Davis 2, Carruthers 2, Denton 1); Total fouls: McLennan 16, Ranger 24; Fouled out: Ranger (Denton, Carruthers); Halftime score: McLennan 27, Ranger 25. Record: McLennan 10-8 (3-1).

McLennan: Trell Porter 5 0-0 12; Nafis Richardson 2 13-16 17; T.J. Johnson 1 2-2 4; Zach Williams 0 1-2 1; Tre Nichols 2 12-12 17; Karlos Gary 1 0-0 2; Taylor Smith 2 0-0 4; Steven Werner 0 2-4 2. Totals: 13 30-34 59.

Ranger: Louis Crane3 0-0 7; Denzell Cosper 3 1-2 8; Jason Smith 0 2-2 2; Malik Johnson 0 0-1 0; Bryant Purvis 1 0-0 3; Devin Wheeler 1 0-0 2; Ivan Johnson 0 2-4 2; Rodney McCauley 6 0-1 12; Jeremy Dean 2 3-6 9; Reggie Mathews 0 2-2 2; Rondell Thomas 1 0-0 2; Malik Edwards 1 0-0 2; Kenyatta Townsend 0 1-2 1. Totals: 18 11-20 52.

3-pointers: McLennan 3 (Porter 2, Nichols 1), Ranger 4 (Dean 2, Purvis 1, Crane 1); Total fouls: McLennan 21, Ranger 26; Fouled out: McLennan (Johnson); Halftime score: McLennan 25, Ranger 23; Record: McLennan 17-2 (3-0).