OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – No. 2 Johnson County Community College women's basketball survived its first true test of the season against No. 9 Palm Beach State College Friday night at JCCC Gymnasium. 

After dominating play through the first three quarters, The Lady Cavaliers could not put the Panthers away in the fourth quarter but managed to fight off a late Palm Beach State rally and close out the game for a 67-55 victory to remain undefeated a 7-0. The Panther fell to 4-1.

Johnson County built a 23-point lead during the third quarter and held an 18-point advantage to start the final period. The Panthers chipped away at JCCC's lead and after two layups by Taylor Blackshear and a pair of free throws by Isabella Riveria the Lady Cavaliers lead was trimmed to just six points with 3:20 to play. 

After a timeout, JCCC freshman guard Tamia Smith made a layup and freshman guard Layla Scott converted a 3-point play to put the Lady Cavaliers back up by double digits and held off Palm Beach State for a 12-point victory. 

The Lady Cavaliers produced a balanced scoring attack led by Scott, sophomore guard Maizen Williams and Smith and with 11 points each. Scott hit 4-of-8 shots with a 3-pointer and two free throws. Williams hit two beyond the arc and was 5-of-6 at the line. Smith knocked five of her seven shot attempts and was 1-for-2 at charity stripe. 

Sophomore guard Taliyah Scott finished with 10 points with seven rebounds, five assist and three steals. 

Freshman guard Tamia Smith was the JCCC's top rebounder with 11 to go along with seven points and sophomore forward Yar Manyiel tallied seven points and six boards. 

Blackshear led Palm Beach State with 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting and three free throws. She was the only Panther to score in double figures.

Johnson County will quickly turnaround and host No. 19 Rock Valley College on Saturday afternoon with a scheduled tip for 2 p.m. Rock Valley comes in on the heels of an impressive 77-46 victory at No. 11 Kansas City Kansas Community College.