No. 9 Women's Basketball battles No. 8 Highland in their opening contest at Nationals

Monday, March 17,  2025 - 7:00 a.m. | Dylan DeVlieger

No. 9 Mesa Women's Basketball kicks off their quest for a national title on Tuesday as they take on No. 8 Highland Community College in Joplin, MO.  

Mesa earned the No. 9 seed after a 24-8 (17-1 ACCAC) record which saw them as the Region I DII Runner-Up after falling to No. 6 Pima, 66-71.

The T-Birds held the second toughest schedule according to the Massey Ratings. Mesa played 15 DI or DII ranked teams in their 2024-25 campaign. 

Mesa scores 66.8 PPG on 41.9% shooting from the field. MCC 31.8% from deep which is 12th best in the country. Defensively MCC holds teams to the 5th fewest points in the NJCAA giving up just 48.9 PPG.

Britany Kogbara has had an impactful sophomore season for the T-Birds, averaging 13.3 PPG and 9.5 RPG. Kogbara shot 59.8% from the field which is the 5th best in the nation. 

Highland comes into the National Championship with a 27-4 (10-4) record and earned their way to the tournament after a victory over Allen County in the District 6 Plains District Championship.

HCC scores 71.1 PPG on 41.6% shooting. The Scotties force 26.7 turnovers per contest while surrendering just 47.3 PPG which is 4th lowest in the country. 

Highland is led in scoring by Cameron McNamara who averages 20.7 PPG on 55% shooting from the floor. 

The winner of this contest will play the winner of No. 1 Kirkwood versus the winner of the No. 16 Suny Niagara / No. 17 Rock Valley game. 

The T-Birds and Scotties meet in Joplin, MO on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. CT / 11:00 a.m MST.

Click here to watch the game (will need to purchase a pass).

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