Scoring the first eight points Wednesday evening at the Barton Gym set the tone for the Barton Community College women's basketball team as the Cougars opened up the 2021 season rolling on to a 78-41 victory over Highland Community College.

The Cougars begin conference play in a week as Barton travels to Independence Community College for a 5:00 p.m. tip at the Field House.

Barton led by six after the first quarter buzzer but then broke open the contest with a 15-0 run to begin the second frame, going on to outscore the Scotties 27-5 for a twenty-eight point halftime margin. Tiffany Dortland led the charge, knocking down three-pointers at the beginning and end of the big stretch, with freshman Brennan Kirchhoff also draining her first collegiate long ball.

The Cougars shot 48.4% for the game with defensive pressure holding Highland to just 27.7% while forcing twenty-nine turnovers resulting in a twelve point swing.

Dortland matched her career high of twenty-points to lead four Cougars in double-digits, shooting 5-of-10 from behind the arc, while contributing an all-around solid floor game of three assists, three steals, and a career high eight rebounds. Fellow returners Queen Ulabo added sixteen while point guard Vanessa Oduah added thirteen and a team high six assists. Freshman Cora Anderson nearly pulled off a double-double start to her collegiate career, scoring ten points and a team high nine rebounds in just eighteen minutes of action.

Marina Paes came off the bench to lead Highland with fourteen points with Gerenda Smith hauling down a game high thirteen rebounds to go along with seven points.