It was a Top three battle on Monday night in the KJCCC as the #3 Highland Women's basketball team travelled to Overland Park, Kansas to square off with rival #1 Johnson County.

Both teams looking to take over sole possession of the top spot in the Conference with a win the contest looked early like it would be a tight contest but a big second quarter by the Cavaliers helped give them the win over Highland 85-65. The loss moves Highland to 17-2 on the season and 1-1 in KJCCC play, while it also snapped a three-game win streak against Johnson County.

Highland opened the game on a three-point play by Janiya Davis and then got three-pointers by Keondra White, Daisah Purnell and Tiana Gipson to establish an early advantage on the road but Johnson County stayed close and tied late in the first quarter. Cavaliers ultimately took the lead with under a minute to go in the first and led 27-21 after one quarter. The lead continued to grow in the second quarter by Johnson County as they shot 50% from the floor in the first half and posted a 23-8 second quarter to lead 50-29 at halftime.

Despite the Scotties attempts at advances in the second half to cut into the deficit they were unable to overcome the halftime hole and played Johnson County to nearly a stalemate of a second half, ultimately leading to the 85-65 loss.

In the loss the Scotties shot 38.2% from the floor while Johnson County posted 41.9% night and both teams had turnover issues with 22 and 23, respectively. The biggest difference was in free throws as Johnson County was 23-30 on the night and Highland only shot seven free throw attempts going 5-7.

Purnell paced the Scotties in the loss with 17 points hitting four three-pointers and added eight rebounds, while Davis chipped in 11 points with four rebounds. White also had a solid performance with nine points, four rebounds and two steals.

UP NEXT
Highland will look to get back in the win column quickly has they have a quick turnaround hitting the court again on Wednesday, January 30^th at home in a KJCCC contest against Hesston (4-15) at 5:30pm. Scotties will see Johnson County again on February 9^th in Highland. (Watch the game live on the Scottie Sports Network – watch live)