POCATELLO — Makenna Baker grabbed her water bottle and sat down on the bench.

The Rams’ junior guard relaxed for a second before heading over to the water cooler. After filling up the bottle, Baker sank into her seat to catch her breath. The guard was only on the bench for 1 minute, 57 seconds before checking back in with 1:44 remaining in the fourth quarter as Highland’s 20-point lead had shrunk to 10.

Baker returned to action and knocked down four free throws in the final 25 seconds to seal the Rams’ 53-41 win Wednesday against Pocatello at The Palace.

The junior scored 13 points in the second half to help Highland (6-1, 1-0 5A District 5-6) gain a second-half cushion after leading 21-17 at halftime.

“When she does get going, it’s a relief for our team,” Highland coach Tony Green said. “They are like, ‘OK, here we go.’ She does a good job of finding a spot for her runs.”

Highland 16, Pocatello 10 after one. Lexi Rowe hits the triple at the buzzer. Indians have 10 TOs so far. #idpreps pic.twitter.com/cmVqzs47Qj

— Michael Guise (@Michael_Guise) December 7, 2017

Baker’s outburst opened up the Rams’ offense, which ran like a well-oiled machine in the third quarter. In the frame, Highland made 7 of 13 shots, including scoring its first 10 points in the paint.

The Rams moved the ball around the three-point line and forced Pocatello’s defense to rotate, which opened up passing and driving lanes for the Rams’ playmakers.

“We looked inside more,” Baker said. “There were cutters where there needed to be. We were moving more than we usually do.”

The offensive production was more than enough to supplement Highland’s defense. The Rams held Pocataello (2-5, 0-1 4A District 5-6) to 34 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers.

The Rams’ defensive pressure hampered Pocatello’s run-and-gun style, as the home team was on the defensive for most of the game.

“The pressure took us out of our offense,” Pocatello coach Brock Gunter said. “We kept attacking, but we had some rushed shots. That pressure threw us off.”

Highland 27, Pocatello20 Winthrop 4:35 remaining in 3Q. Lexi Rowe pushes the Rams lead. #idpreps pic.twitter.com/Ghx65oL1nl

— Michael Guise (@Michael_Guise) December 7, 2017

Highland limited Pocatello to two made field goals in the third quarter and outscored the Indians 17-5 in the frame. Highland led 38-22 after 24 minutes of play.

Highland also held Pocatello’s Destiny Harris scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting. Angelina Pierce picked up the slack with a team-high 16 points, but Pierce was the lone Indian to tally 10 points or more.

“When (Harris) scores, her passion is the biggest thing that gets our girls going,” Gunter said. “She is excited and that gets everyone going. That didn’t happen tonight.”

Wednesday’s game was the sixth time in seven games this season the Rams have held their opponent to fewer than 50 points.

End of third quarter: Highland 38, Pocatello 22. The Rams’ Sevana Spoklie banks in a moonshot at the end of the frame. #idpreps pic.twitter.com/8uXvARylh7

— Michael Guise (@Michael_Guise) December 7, 2017

Pocatello’s 41 points ties the team’s second-fewest point total this season.

“We want to be known for our defensive effort,” Baker said. “We practice it a lot.”

Pocatello started last season 0-6 before winning 12 of its final 19 games. A loss at Preston ended Pocatello’s campaign one victory shy of the 4A state tournament.

If Pocatello wants to get back to where last season left off, the squad must find the same mojo that propelled them down the stretch.

“We have to get into the basketball smarts,” Gunter said. “It takes us a while to get going and once we figure things out, I think it clicks and they go.”

Here is a photo gallery from Highland vs. Pocatello. #idpreps https://t.co/atkEFp43wP pic.twitter.com/RE7CM1ZAJn

— Michael Guise (@Michael_Guise) December 7, 2017