WACO, Texas (Interstat) — The McLennan Highlanders defeated the Eastern Arizona Gila Monsters 81-70 in a men’s junior college basketball game Monday. The Highlanders improved to 4-1 overall, while the Gila Monsters fell to 8-6.

McLennan established an early lead with a 43-point first quarter and maintained control despite Eastern Arizona’s 41-point second-quarter surge. The Highlanders’ offense proved consistent, adding 38 points after halftime to secure the victory. The win validated a national statistical projection that heavily favored McLennan.

Key performances from Aiden Law, Amare Banks and Avion Jackson paced the McLennan attack. Eastern Arizona, coming off a road win two days prior, could not sustain its second-quarter momentum in the second half.