Highland's bid at reversing an early-season loss to Mesquite on Friday night was nearly over before it started. Turnovers were the only stat that mattered.

Mesquite pressured Highland fullcourt from the get-go and got 11 turnovers as a return on its investment in the opening period in taking a 61-45 win over the Hawks in a Division I girls contest at Mesquite.

Highland dodged the ultimate outcome for the first four minutes or so. Despite five turnovers in that span, the Hawks managed a 9-4 lead after Anna Grone' three-point field field goal. Six more miscues in the quarter turned the tide as Mesquite's quickness and ball-hawking produced a 17-0 run to end the quarter. Highland battled hard, but failed to trim the deficit to under double digits at any time the rest of the way. Highland committed 15 turnovers in the first half to Mesquite's three. Mesquite connected on 13 of 32 shots (41 percent) to Highland's 6 of 18 (33 percent). Seven of Mesquite's 13 first-half baskets were layups and four were three-point shots.

"Our defense has picked up since Christmas," Mesqjuite coach Candice Gonzales said. "We can't have anyone slack off when we pressure or it leaves a hole and doesn't work. It's a been a team effort."

Fullcourt pressure and plenty of double-teaming caused headaches and didn't allow Highland to set its halfcourt offense. Four of Mesquite's five starters scored between four and six points in the opening period led by Izzy Spruit (two threes) and Shaylee Gonzales, who had a pair of layups one in transition and one off a steal. Mesquite's 21-9 lead after the first period was slightly larger at halftime (34-20).

Mesquite (13-5 overall, 7-2 power-ranking games) got a team-high 20 points from Lindsey Vanallen. Shaylee Gonzales added 12 points, Alexis Springfield (10), Spruit (9) and Natalie Weber (8). Weber's contribution was in a reserve role. Mesquite entered the game third in the D-I power-rankings behind Hamiilton and Valley Vista. The win capped a nice week for Mesquite, which survived poor shooting -- its bugaboo -- in topping Millennium in overtime on Tuesday. Millennium is currently No. 4 in D-I and Highland (15-7, 7-3 prg) was No. 8.

Grone led Highland with 20 points. Seven of those came in the earluy burst that put the Hawks in front 9-4. Grone got a little help on the offensive end in the second half from forward Kamryn Brown, who scored all nine of her points after intermission. Highland's three power-ranking losses are to Millennium, Mesquite and Seton Catholic, the No. 1 team in the D-II power-rankings.