CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State withstood a feisty second half effort by Mid-America Christian (Oklahoma City, Okla) to claim an 83-75 victory Saturday afternoon at the Claremore Expo.
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The Hillcats saw their 22 point first half lead whittled all the way down to two before holding off the Lady Evangels to break a two-game losing skid. Senior Azzie Knox tallied 17 points and 19 rebounds while also setting a school record with five blocked shots in the contest. Sophomore Hunter Peterson scored a team-high 19 points to go along with five assists.
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RSU jumped out to a 16-5 advantage with an early run. The lead grew to 22 on a Hunter Peterson bucket with 2:54 to play in the first half. MACU scored two quick baskets before the halftime horn to make it 47-32 at the break.
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The Lady Evangels opened the second half on a 15-3 spurt to cut the lead to three. Peterson responded with back-to-back 3-pointers but MACU wouldn't go away. Center Danein Wells drew the Evangels within two at 64-62 on a layup with 7:28 to play. The Hillcats answered once again by scoring 10 of the next 12 points. RSU held at least a two possession lead the rest of the way to closeout an eight-point win.
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Karina Trindade sparked the MACU offense for much of the second half. She scored 18 of her game-high 20 points in the second stanza. The Lady Evangels shot 43 percent from the field in the second half and outscored RSU, 43-36.
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The Hillcats had four players in double figures led by Peterson and Knox. Autumn Thompson added 14 points while Katie Rice chipped in with 13. RSU shot 50 percent from the field in the first half to build a 15-point lead and finished the night at 47-percent from the floor.
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Rogers State (12-6, 6-4) has won eight of its last 10 games and remains in fifth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings. The Hillcats remain at home next week as they welcome USAO (Chickasha, Okla.) to the Claremore Expo Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the first 500 fans through the gate will receive a free pom-pom courtesy of the RSU athletic department. The game will be carried live on RSU Public Television and RSU Radio 91.3 FM.
