OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Rogers State used a strong second half shooting effort to record its first conference victory as the Hillcats outlasted Mid-America Christian, 67-63 at the Gaulke Center in Oklahoma City on Thursday.
 

Freshman Hayley KnifeChief led the charge with 19 points, including a key put-back in the final seconds that sealed the win. RSU shot 64-percent (16-of-25) in the second half to overcome a three-point halftime deficit.
 

Courtney Sorrels, who led MACU with 19 points, spurred a late rally by the Evangels and cut the deficit to 63-61 with 2:45 to play. After a bucket by Tasha Parker, Sorrels answered with another hoop to keep it a two-point margin with 56 seconds remaining. With just eight seconds remaining KnifeChief grabbed a rebound off a missed free throw by Yoda Woods and laid it in off the glass to clinch the win for RSU.
 

Woods played a key role for the Cats after missing the past two games due to injury. She finished with seven points and six rebounds in 21 minutes of action off the bench. Katie Rice added 11 points and seven boards while Tasha Parker and Hunter Peterson scored 10 points apiece.
 

The Hillcats shot 55-percent from the field for the game and scored 26 points off the bench. Rogers State (4-3) improved to 1-0 in Sooner Athletic Conference play. RSU will host No. 12 Oklahoma City on Saturday at the Claremore Expo. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM and RSU Public Television.