Kellis gets the best of Higley in high-tempo game

From the opening tip, Kellis and Higley played at a pace that felt more like mid-February than early-season action. Kellis struck first, jumping out to a quick 7–3 lead behind senior point guard Shanielle Mallory, who immediately set the tone. Mallory controlled the tempo offensively, pushed the ball at every opportunity, and applied her usual disruptive pressure on the defensive end—collecting multiple steals before the first quarter was over. Pressure forced Higley into early mistakes, and the Cougars capitalized with a 10–4 run to go up 17–7 with under three minutes left in the first quarter. Due to the fast pace and physicality, Kellis found themselves in the penalty early. The opening frame closed with Kellis ahead 23–18 after a flurry of buckets on both sides.

Higley’s turnover issues continued into the second quarter—nearly double digits by halftime—yet the Knights were somehow hanging around, trailing just 28–22 with under six minutes to go. Star guard Jayla Freeman spent much of the half in foul trouble, and considering that, being down only 37–26 at the break felt like a small victory for Higley.

The third quarter brought a different energy. Higley tightened up, cut down mistakes, and put together a solid stretch to trim the Kellis lead to 44–38 with just over four minutes left. But every time Higley threatened to shift momentum, Kellis had an answer. A mid-range jumper from Nelly Walker, followed seconds later by a Luz Marin Santos Mas steal and layup, steadied the Cougars and pushed the lead back to six at 50–44.

Then the Kellis defense turned it up a notch.

In the final minute of the third, the Cougars smothered Higley’s ballhandlers, jumped passing lanes, and closed the quarter on a decisive 13–2 run, stretching the lead to 59–46. That burst proved to be the separation Kellis needed.

The fourth quarter mirrored the rest of the game: every potential Higley run was met with a counterpunch from Kellis. When the Knights tried to extend the game by fouling in the final minute, Kellis hit just enough free throws to put it away.

Kellis closed out the 70–60 win with pace and pressure—anchored by Mallory’s leadership and a defense that made Higley uncomfortable for most of the night. Kellis led by Mallory with 25 points, Nelly Walker with 14, and Luz Marian Santos Mas added 10. Transfer Leila O'Dowd led Higley with 17 points, Cadence Murdough with 16, and Jayla Freeman with 12. Kellis moves to 2-0 on the season, and Higley drops to 2-1.