KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Returning to the court with a few new faces, Highland (2-3) controlled the game from the opening tip through the final buzzer, defeating Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City (3-12) 62-53 on Monday. Four Scotties finished in double figures on the night, led by Shamiah Johnson's 17.

Brittany Jones opened the scoring for Highland with a bucket off the opening tap, then put HCC in front for good at the 7:40 mark with a trey. The Scotties forced a turnover that was converted in the lane by Johnson, with Johnson then sparking a run of three consecutive triples as she dished to Jones with 6:45 left in the first quarter. Altogether, the Scotties scored 14 unanswered points to take a 16-3 lead inside the first five minutes.

Mid-season addition Cami Dalinghaus notched her first bucket with 8:35 left in the second quarter, as Highland shrugged off a brief surge by the Wolves to take a 34-27 lead into halftime.

After leading by as many as 12 in the third quarter, Highland found itself in a cold-shooting stretch to start the fourth. MCCKC tried desperately to take advantage, narrowing the gap to a 56-53 Highland lead with 4:37 to play.

Highland was able to respond on defense, holding the Wolves scoreless down the stretch to secure the win.

Jones finished with 13 points on the night, with Carley Paige (11 pts) and Zoe Clarke (10 pts) also in double figures. The Scotties return to Ben Allen Field House on Wednesday, hosting St. Louis Community College. Tipoff for the first game of the doubleheader is set for 5:30 p.m.