HIGHLAND, Kan. - Opening conference play against a nationally-ranked team for the first time in several years, Highland (11-6, 0-1 KJCCC) battled hard through the first half but couldn't overcome a 19-4 free throw deficit in the second half against Johnson County (17-0, 1-0 KJCCC) on Wednesday. Colton Knoll led all scorers with 26 points in the 87-76 setback.

Perhaps foreshadowing the second half, five of the first seven points of the night came from the free throw line, as Colton Knoll drew contact and knocked down a trio of free throws to answer a JCCC layup.

Trey Fulcher picked up a second-chance pair of freebies on the next Cavalier possession for a 4-3 lead before Johnson County surged out to a brief 14-4 lead with 14:34 on the clock.

The remainder of the first half was a bit of a yo-yo, as Highland tried to close the gap several times with Johnson County answering each time. A DJ Thomas steal led to a fast break layup by Adriel Smith, with Tavian Tate adding the assist to bring HCC within two just under the two-minute mark, but Gavin Harvey hit a pair of free throws to send JCCC to the break with a 34-30 lead.

Intermission did little to chill the competitive drive in either team, with play on the floor becoming much more physical as Johnson County built a 51-39 lead over the first five minutes.

Highland kept the Cavaliers within striking range for the next several minutes, before tempers finally boiled over at the 8:22 mark. After a three-point miss by Tate, a whistle sounded as Knoll battled for a rebound on his missed tip-in in a crowd. The crowd immediately swarmed around the ball, a flurry of bodies and whistles sounding.

After a review, technical fouls were assessed to both teams and after the offset Johnson County was awarded four free throws and possession. Avian Webb hit three of four from the line and Fulcher added a layup. With the Bryce Walker triple immediately prior to the shenanigans, JCCC's lead ballooned from 59-49 to 67-49 in a span of 51 seconds.

The Scotties refused to buckle, however, as Knoll responded with a three-point play followed by a Tate triple. Over the final 4:24, HCC knocked in 18 points but wasn't able to close enough ground as the Cavaliers finished on a 12-of-14 run from the free throw line.

Tate (22 pts), Gavin Grubbs (11 pts) and Thomas (10 pts) also finished the game in double figures for Highland.

The Scotties hit the road for their next three contests, beginning with a non-conference jaunt to Springfield, Mo., on Friday to take on Mission University. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.