CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State used a hot start against Wayland Baptist to pick up an important conference victory on Thursday night at the Claremore Expo.

The Hillcats shot 60-percent in the first half to build a 12-point lead and needed every one of them to hold on for a 57-56 conference win over the Flying Queens.
 

WBU started the second half on a 7-0 run and chipped away until Anastasia Okolo cut the lead to two on a long trey with 4:37 remaining in the game. Freshman Megan Coats drove the lane, got fouled and made the basket to cut the lead to one with six seconds left. However, she missed the ensuing free throw, Azzie Knox grabbed the rebound for RSU and the Hillcats held on for the win.
 

The Hillcats delivered on 15 of their 25 shots in the first half and hit a season-high six three pointers in the frame. Freshman Hunter Peterson knocked down two long range shots while junior Breck Muller added seven first half points.
 

As good as RSU was on offense in the first half, it was equally as sluggish in the second period. The Hillcats made just six field goals after halftime, but, used a 34-to-20 rebounding advantage to escape the Expo with a win.
 

Hayley KnifeChief finished with a game-high 11 points while Azzie Knox added 10 in only her second game this season. Yoda Woods led the attack on the boards with 11 rebounds, nine of them on the offensive glass.
 

Rogers State (7-5, 3-1) won consecutive games for the first time all season. The Hillcats managed to break a season long trend of alternating wins and losses. RSU returns to conference action Saturday afternoon when it hosts Lubbock Christian at the Claremore Expo. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. and the game can be heard live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.