It was a grind it out game the first time back in late January for the #5 Highland women's basketball team against #16 Labette and the second time around was no different as the Scotties went to the wire with the Cardinals this time in Parson, Kansas. Despite Highland owning the lead entering the fourth quarter the Scotties suffered the 90-86 loss on the road.

Back and forth the contest went early with no team taking firm control but the Scotties owned the 25-24 lead at the end of the first quarter. Both team put together miniature runs in the second quarter but Labette with a late spurt to end the first half secured the lead at the half 47-44.

Scotties came out strong in the second half and worked to a nine-point lead late in the third quarter outscoring the Cardinals 25-15 in the frame to lead 69-62 heading into the fourth quarter. That lead did not hold up as Labette swung the game back in their favor and with the game tight late made some clutch free throws to hold off the Scotties as Highland had a chance to tie it with five seconds to go but got for an offensive foul and Labette iced the game with free throws winning 90-86.

In the loss Highland shot 48.4% from the floor and hit 14 three-pointers, but Labette answered that by shooting 46.4% from the floor and going 20-31 from the free throw line on top of winning the rebounding battle 45-33.

In the loss Tiana Gipson dropped 21 points on 6-10 shooting from three-point range, while Stefania Chiziane posted 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Janiya Davis chipped in 15 points and five assists.

UP NEXT
Highland wraps up the road portion of Conference play in their next game as they travel to Hesston on Saturday, February 16^th for a 2:00pm tip and then will have home contests against KCK and Fort Scott on February 20^th and 23^rd to wrap up the regular season.