OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College women's basketball team left little doubt as to why they have held No. 1 spot in the NJCAA D-II polls all season as they handled No. 3 Highland Community College 85-65 on Monday night. With the victory the Lady Cavaliers improve to 22-0 on the season, and to 2-0 in conference play. Highland falls to 17-2 and 1-1.
Johnson County behind by eight points in the first five minutes of the game, then went on a 45-16 run the next 15:50 to take a 50-29 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Sophomore transfer forward Syndi Tears had her best game in a JCCC uniform. She hit all eight of her shot attempts along with a free throw to finish with 17 points. She also had five rebounds.
Sophomore guard Paige Elston matched Tears' 17 points hitting 5-of-9 shots, including three 3-pointers, and all four attempts at the free throw line. She also six boards and a team-high four steals.
Sophomore guard Jacionna Stowers and freshman point guard Jess Myers also posted double digits in points. Stowers had 13 points and hit four treys to up her season total to 67, eighth-best in the country. Myers finished with 12 points along with six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Johnson County won't have much time to celebrate this victory as they travel to Parsons, Kan., to take on the Labette Community College Cardinals on Wednesday, Jan. 30. They return home to host Hesston College on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.