OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - For the second time in as many days, the Highland Community College women's basketball team squared off against an opponent that swept the regular season meeting. And for the second time in as many days, the Scotties found the inspiration to turn the regular-season result on its head, today upsetting no. 2 seed Allen County Community College 53-42 to earn the 2024-25 NJCAA District 6 Plains District Championship. In addition to punching a dance ticket to the NJCAA Division 2 Women's Basketball Championship, the Scotties inked a new name into the 1,000-point club as Cameron McNamara became the second player ever to hit the career plateau, with 16 points on the afternoon.

During the second meeting of the season between these teams, the Red Devils managed to keep McNamara bottled up somewhat, as the sophomore battled foul trouble and wasn't able to contribute as much on the defensive end. But the Downington, Pa., sophomore played the entire 40 minutes on Saturday and was backed up by a resurgent Brooklyn Pierce. The pair held Allen County to just six points in the first quarter and kept the Red Devils off the board for a stretch of 10:41 spanning the first and second.

McNamara was dominant in the Scotties' 21-0 run over that span, dropping 14 points on  Allen and passing the 1,000-point mark with 1:02 left in the first quarter. The Scotties took a 13-point lead into the locker room for halftime and extended the margin as high as 15 midway through the third quarter.

With the season in the balance, Allen County turned up the defensive pressure. Highland hit a brief shooting lull and the Red Devils charged back, closing the deficit to five points midway through the fourth quarter.

A trio of free throws by Briasia Johnson wrapped around a jumper by Madison Brittle helped Highland push its lead back to double-digits, leading 45-35 with 3:15 to play. Allen again nipped the deficit back to five with 45 seconds left in the game, but the Scotties found salvation in what has been a struggle for them throughout the season, closing the contest out with six straight makes from the free throw line.

Jalasia Hull, Pierce and Madison Brittle respectively converted after desperation fouls from Allen and defensive stops from Highland.

With the win, Highland earns the Plains District automatic bid into the 2025 NJCAA Division 2 Women's Basketball Championship, March 17-22, in Joplin, Mo. The Scotties will learn their seed and first opponent during the NJCAA Selection Show, Tues., Mar. 11, at noon CDT.