First-half surge lifts Highlassies by RC

The McLennan Community College Highlassies pieced together a 33-19 run in the first 20 minutes of play on Wednesday and then held on to claim a 71-56 upset of the No. 21-ranked Ranger College women in front of a large crowd in the Ron Butler Gymnasium.

The loss was Ranger's first setback of the season, dropping the Lady Rangers to 15-1. More importantly, the RC women fell to 1-1 in Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference action.

The Highlassies got off to a quick start. Aided several turnovers, McLennan pounded out a 14-9 lead in the opening frame. They stretched that lead to 14 at the half, going up 33-19.

McLennan, which forced RC into 16 turnovers in the contest, reeled off a 22-18 run in the third and took a 55-37 lead into the final stanza.

Despite the loss, sophomore Angel Reese and freshman sensation Bre'Asiajah Mathews both starred for RC. Reese posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Mathews poured in a team-high 14 points and dished out four assists.

Imani McNeal also played well for the Lady Rangers. She netted seven points.

Ranger will return to action on Jan. 15 when they host Southwestern Christian College. The game will start at 5 p.m.