The hoops season got underway on Thursday night at Ben Allen Fieldhouse for the #7 Highland men's basketball team as they opened the season with an 85-60 win over University of St. Mary's JV.

After a quick bucket by Taiveyhon Mason to open the contest both teams took a bit to get into a rhythm but the Scotties worked to a double figure lead in the first half only to see the three-point basket be the equalizer and keep the Spires in the contest. Highland headed into halftime up just 36-30.

Out of halftime Highland looked to push the lead out but the Spires continued to knock down three-pointers to stay within six to four points until Highland went on a run taking advantage of USM JV turnovers. The lead grew to 20+ points around the 3:20 mark in the second half and the Scotties sailed from that point finishing off the contest with the 85-60 win.

In the victory Highland shot 46.7% from the field and won the rebounding edge 44 to 28 over USM JV, while also forcing 20 turnovers and scoring 26 points off those turnovers. Mason paced the Scotties with 17 points, adding a pair of assists and five steals, while Jaquan Daniels picked back up from his freshman season two years ago and posted 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Cole Barton made an early impact in his Scottie career dropping 15 points on 5-6 shooting, while DJ Doakes chipped in 10 points. Tristen Hull had the top rebounding performance with nine boards and added seven points.

The Scottie men's basketball team opens the 2018-19 season 1-0 with the win over USM JV and now head out on the road to take on Missouri Southern State University on Monday, November 5^th at 6:30pm.