NO. 2 HIGHLAND WOMEN PRESS THEIR WAY PAST LADY BLUE DEVILS

            Highland used a devastating full court pressing defense to live up to its No. 2 national women's ranking with a 79-58 win over Kansas City Kansas Community College Saturday.

            The win boosted the Scotties' record to 26-1 and kept them a game ahead of Johnson County (26-1) in the Jayhawk Division race while the No. 9 ranked Blue Devils fell to 21-6.

            The Blue Devils go back on the road this week, playing at Brown Mackie Wednesday at 5 and 7 p.m. and Hesston Saturday at 6 and 8 p.m. before returning home to close out the regular season against Fort Scott Wednesday, Feb. 26.

            Turnovers proved the Lady Blue Devils' undoing – 21 in the first half and 33 for the game although KCKCC forced the Scotties into 18 mistakes. However, Highland was able to get off 30 more shots, hitting 30 of 72 for 41.7 percent to 13 of 42 for KCKCC for 31.percent despite the fact KCKCC had a 46-40 rebounding advantage. 

            The Lady Blue Devils stayed close for the first 15 minutes, trailing just 26-22 only to have Highland finish the half with a 15-7 run to open a 41-29 halftime lead and stay comfortably ahead in the second half.

            Imani White led the Blue Devils in scoring with 19 points while Iland Shurn came off the bench to score 10 points and lead all rebounders with 13. Rashaun Casey also was in double figures with 10 points.