The Arcadia Titans overcame a slow start Tuesday to defeat the Higley Knights 42-34 in girls basketball at Higley.

The Knights opened an early 10-1 lead behind point guard Ryan Jimenez. The Titans were forced to switch their defense up to prevent her from scoring.

“We recognized what worked and didn’t work on defense so we went to the zone that would help us out,” Arcadia coach Ives Machiz said. “We made a nice change there, and the girls stayed with that plan.”

The first quarter ended with the Titans trailing the Knights 10-3.

The Titans, who trailed 10-3 at the end of a quarter, came back early in the second quarter after Halli Schmittenberg and Gianna Grumbein sank two quick threes.

“We cleared our heads,” Machiz said. “We got down, but we didn’t panic. We just went out executed our offense, played defense and got back two points at a time. The girls stayed with it.”

By halftime, The Titans had a 19-18 lead.

The game’s intensity level increased during the second half. The Knights pressed the Titans, but Arcadia was able to break the press consistently to maintain a one-point lead, 27-26, entering the fourth quarter.

Arcadia’s Jenna Longo suffered a leg injury and was forced to sit out the rest of the game.

Three of the Knights players fouled out during the fourth quarter, when every point scored by the Titans was from the free throw line. The Titans had good ball rotation, forcing the Knights to foul them.

Grumbein scored five of her team-high 10 points in he fourth. Jimenez led Higley scorers with 15 points.

The Titans play Maricopa on Friday.