SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. - It was too little, too late for the Rogers State as the Hillcats were unable to overcome a large deficit and suffered their first loss of the season at John Brown Tuesday night in Siloam Springs, Ark.
 

The Golden Eagles came out firing on all cylinders and never cooled down en route to a 75-67 victory in the Sooner Athletic Conference opener for both teams. A pair of freshman guards paced the hot shooting effort for JBU. Katie Mangels and Jessica Berlin combined for 36 points and 10 3-point baskets in the win.
 

The Eagles forced 14 Hillcat turnovers in the first half and led by 14 points at the break. RSU managed only 15 field goal attempts in the opening frame while John Brown connected on 14 of 29 shots. Mangels buried three treys in the first half alone.
 

JBU continued to scorch the nets in the second period, pushing the lead to 23 points at the midway point. However, the Hillcats refused to go quietly. Hunter Peterson and Jenny Hardin teamed up for 30 second half points to bring the Cats back to within striking distance. Peterson buried a three to cap a 12-0 run with 1:55 remaining, cutting the lead to 69-61. Hardin converted a jumper in the lane to make it a five point game with 47 tics left, but it would get no closer.
 

Anna Parish scored an easy layup off a long outlet pass and JBU held on for the win. Mangels led the Golden Eagles with 19 points as JBU finished at 51 percent from the floor and 62 percent from 3-point range.
 

Peterson led all scorers with 22 points for RSU. Hardin tallied 13 of her 15 points after the intermission. The Hillcats shot a respectable 43 percent from the field and a season-high 50 percent from 3-point range, but were undone by 23 turnovers.
 

Rogers State (5-1, 0-1) saw its five-game winning streak come to an end. The Hillcats will take six days off before traveling to Dallas Christian for a non-conference game Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.