TOPEKA — Back on the court for the first time in nine days, Free State High’s girls basketball team had its good moments and not-so-good moments against Highland Park on Thursday.

The not-so-good: The Firebirds committed seven turnovers in an eight-possession stretch at the end of the third quarter, helping the Scots fight back from a double-digit deficit.

The good: Once Highland Park tied the score with six minutes remaining, the Firebirds responded with some of their best defense of the night in an eventual 58-50 road victory.

“I’ve got to remember that a win is a win and we go on to tomorrow,” Free State coach Ted Juneau said.

After the Scots tied the score, 44-all, Free State senior Madison Piper and freshman point guard Caely Kesten grabbed steals on back-to-back possessions with their full-court pressure.

Piper made two free throws and Kesten scored four straight points, including a put-back on a miss from sophomore Sam Lawrence for a six-point advantage.

The Scots (1-8) wouldn’t pull any closer and the Firebirds continued on to a 14-4 run.

“I told them when we were up four, six in the last two or three minutes, ‘This is going to be great practice for us,'” Juneau said. “For us to build a lead and hold the ball, from that standpoint it was OK. From my perspective, it never should’ve been that close in the first place, but you have to give Highland Park credit. They worked hard.”

The Firebirds (5-3) weren’t at their most crisp offensively, but they received a strong boost from their bench in the first half. Senior Jaycie Bishop and junior Erin Cushing scored six points each while freshman Haley Hippe added two points and a steal.

Then when it came to crunch time, the Firebirds stepped up with key baskets and smart decisions with the ball. Piper, signed to play at Santa Clara, led with 13 points, 15 rebounds and three steals.

Kesten, who had 13 points with two assists, said the Firebirds “weren’t really connected” at the start.

“She grows every game,” Juneau said of Kesten. “There are times when you shake your head. But you know, you’ve got to let her be her.”

Free State will travel to Lansing at 7 p.m. today.

FREE STATE (58)

Sam Lawrence 2-5 2-4 7, Cameryn Thomas 1-1 3-4 5, Caely Kesten 4-8 5-8 13, Madison Piper 3-10 6-8 13, Jaelyn Two-Hearts 2-5 1-2 7, Jaycie Bishop 2-2 0-0 6, Erin Cushing 2-4 0-1 5, Haley Hippe 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 16-35 19-29 58.

HIGHLAND PARK (50)

Ariyana Grassity 0-9 9-10 9, Cierra Sherman 2-9 0-0 6, Mayela Edwards 4-9 0-0 11, Dariaua Carter 2-10 0-1 4, La’Shai Clark 2-5 3-4 7, Tamira Carter 1-2 4-5 6, Areionn Smith 3-5 1-2 7, Allie Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Aaliyah Washington 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 14-49 17-22 50.

Free State 13 23 8 14 — 58

Highland Park 10 19 11 10 — 50

Three-point goals: Free State 7-15 (Two-Hearts 2, Bishop 2, Lawrence, Piper, Cushing); Highland Park 5-20 (Edwards 3, Sherman 2). Fouled out: Two-Hearts. Turnovers: Free State 26, Highland Park 18.