Highland hoops teams unable to win in Iowa on Wednesday night.

With the first game back after holiday break, the HCC Men's & Women's basketball team loaded the buses and traveled north into Iowa. The women taking on the Iowa Western Reivers in Council Bluffs, Iowa while the men traveled to Boone, IA to take on the Bears of Des Moines Area CC.

The Scottie women were thrown off their rhythm and were handed a tough loss from the Reivers; their first loss of the season, 71-83. The men fought hard but were unable to close the deal in overtime and lost 72-77 to the Bears.

The first half for the Scottie women was a battle as they were unable to get their shots to fall and committed a handful of turnovers. Mariane Carvalho took charge on offense, scoring 20 points in the first half, with help from Sidney Blackburn who knocked down back to back threes nearing the end of the first half, keeping the gap to 33-37 going into the locker room. The second half belonged to the Reivers as they were able to get their shots to fall while the Scotties totaled 23 turnovers to the Reivers 15. Carvalho finished with an impressive career high and new school record 39 points and seven rebounds with sophomore Szonja Vukov adding in 11 points, six total rebounds and three assists.

The Scotties are now 15-1 on the year and will take on the University of Saint Mary JV, at home, on Monday, January 9^th at 5:30pm.
 

On the men's side, the Bears jumped out of the gate early and took a nine-point lead at the ten-minute mark of the first half. Highland chipped away at the score with the help of Stephon Jackson knocking down four threes in the first half. Still, the Bears claimed the lead at the half, 35-31.

Highland started to execute their offense in the 2^nd half and shot 50% from the floor. Ryan Haskins knocked down a free-throw with .15 seconds left in regulation giving Highland a three-point lead. The Bears came down the floor, got the ball to Wali Parks who pulled up from three and knocked it down, taking the game into overtime.

DMACC controlled overtime shooting 4-4 from the floor and 4-8 from the free-throw line. Highland was unable to score a basket in OT shooting 0-7, they shot 7-10 from the free-throw line. The Bears hit two free-throws with .03 seconds left on the clock and sealed the 77-72 victory over the Scotties.

Stephon Jackson led the Men's team in scoring knocking down five 3-pointers and finished with 20 points. Jaquan Daniels added 13 points and seven rebounds while D'Juan Scudder put up 12 points and five rebounds.

Highland is now 11-4 and on a three-game losing streak. They will try to bounce back as they take on Doance College JV, at home, Monday, January 9^th, at 7:30pm in Ben Allen Field House.