HARRISON -- A first half burst by Hot Springs alum Berniezha Tidwell and a balanced scoring effort in the second allowed Highland Community College to remain the only undefeated team in the National Junior College Athletic Association's Division II and advance to the second round of the national tournament.
Tidwell scored eight points in the first quarter as the Scotties (33-0) struggled from the floor before pulling away in the second half for a 75-53 win Tuesday over Macomb Community College (25-7), from Michigan, at Pioneer Pavilion on the campus of North Arkansas College. It was the school's first appearance in the national tournament since losing the 2015 final, 82-72, to Mesa Community College in overtime.
The Scotties finished the season ranked No. 3 in the country as the last undefeated team and were seeded third in the national tournament. They advanced to face No. 6 seed Cape Fear (28-5), from North Carolina, at 6 p.m. today. Cape Fear defeated No. 11 seed Kankakee Community College (23-8), 95-71, in the second game of the tournament after Highland's victory.
"It wasn't our best game," Tidwell said. "We got the W, so I guess that is all that matters, but early in the game we were not getting in a rhythm on offense. When we did in the second half, the shots started falling.
"I think our defense was there the whole game. We just did what we had to do."
Tidwell said coach B.J. Smith allows her to attack the basket from the wing instead of running the offense at point guard as she has in previous systems. She shot 3-for-6 from the field in the opening quarter and made both of her free throw attempts.
The Scotties were only 6-for-18, 33 percent, from the floor in the first quarter and leading scorer Mariane De Caravalho opened the game just 1-for-6. Smith said it was vital for Tidwell to find ways to score while others struggled.
"I thought Bre, when we were struggling to make shots, she at least kept us in the game and made shots," Smith said. "She has done that on a couple of occasions where we just struggled and she got us buckets."
"Her defensive energy really helps us a ton too," Smith added.
Highland held Macomb to 2 of 8, 25 percent, shooting in the opening quarter and forced the Monarchs into five turnovers. The No. 3 seed carried an 18-15 advantage into the second quarter.
Tidwell scored early in the second quarter to reach double-figures, but the Monarchs stayed in the game. The lead changed hands seven times in the first half, but the Scotties held a 32-27 lead at halftime.
"I was kind of all over the place, getting putbacks, driving to the hole and getting easy layups in the first half," Tidwell said. "Not so much in the second half. I think in the first half, I just came out with a spark on offense and defense. I got a steal on the point guard and I think it rattled her a little bit."
Smith said it was a more uneven performance than usual from his team. He said the team's 13-day layoff since winning the NJCAA Region VI Women's Division II Basketball Tournament final on March likely contributed.
"Even though we have practiced, it is kind of a different deal," Smith said. "The national tournament is a building process. It's 9 a.m., first game. Obviously, we will have to come back tomorrow and be a lot sharper."
Highland shot 12-for-38, 31.6 percent, in the first half, but outscored Macomb, 23-9, in the third quarter. The Scotties were 16-for-35, 45.7 percent, in the second half and finished the game 28-for-73, 38.4 percent.
Caravalho led the Scotties with 22 points and seven rebounds. She broke Highland's single-season scoring record, now at 655 points, and is the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,272 points.
Niccolly Ramalho recorded three steals to break the school record for steals in a season, now at 131. She added 10 points and three rebounds.
Tidwell finished with 14 points, a team-high five assists and four steals.
"I feel like I could have played better, but I did what I had to do for my team," Tidwell said. "On this team, I am really big on defense, pressuring the point guard and stuff like that."
All NJCAA TV championship broadcasts are available online at http://www.njcaatv.com. Updates are also posted on Twitter by Highland's account, @HCCscotties.
Sports on 03/21/2018