After successfully completing an undefeated non-conference season going 20-0 while obtaining the longest win streak in Highland Women's Basketball history, the #3 Scotties were able to notch on another victory over the #7 Labette Cardinals in their first KJCCC conference match-up winning 67-64.
The 1st half deemed out of the undefeated Scotties reputation committing 16 team turnovers and going 0-11 from behind the arc. The Cardinals struggled just the same being forced to 19 team turnovers.
Both teams regained control and battled it out until the end. HCC's field goal percentage of 38% trumped the Cardinals 30% but every other stat line showed a tight game; 43-40 rebounds, 17-14 assists, 16-13 steals with Highland always just ahead.
Berniezha Tidwell came off the bench to lead the Scotties with 16 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, and four steals while bringing a lot of energy to the floor. Sophomore Niccolly Ramalho added 17 points to the game along with eight rebounds and Kamryn Lemon was the only other Scottie to contribute double-digit points with 11.
Head Coach BJ Smith made a few comments on the victory during the post-game interview with Mike Smith, "Winning these games on the road in the Jayhawk conference, those are great days... This was not our smartest effort, they did some things to us we haven't seen done, they played a lot of guards, and have a lot of athletes. Our kids did a great job of handling that and we showed moments of running them out of the gym but then we'd lose our discipline…. We'll take it. It wasn't the best day for us but we aren't giving it back."
"Games like this just like Johnson on Saturday, won't be 5 or 3 minute games, they will be 40 minute affairs… winning here at Labette is not easy… anytime we can walk out of here a winner we're happy."
Highland will host the #4 Johnson County Cavaliers on Saturday, January 27th at 1:00PM in the Ben Allen Field House. Wear your WHITE Scottie gear to participate in the 'White Out' day or locate the Student Life and Women's Basketball tables where there will be white shirts for sale."
Catch head coach BJ Smith's full post-game interview and watch the 67-64 win over the Labette Cardinals HERE!
