CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State kept its hot start rolling by muscling past John Brown for a 48-44 win Thursday night at the Claremore Expo. The Hillcats emerged victorious from a defensive struggle to improve to 8-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play entering the winter break.
 

Both teams came out shooting ice cold as they combined to make just 11 of 56 field goal attempts in the first half. Senior Jenny Hardin hit a pair of free throws in the final minute to tie the game at 18-18 just before the break.

RSU fell behind to start the second half as JBU's Ashley Taylor opened the frame with consecutive buckets in the paint. Hardin dropped in a three and Hunter Peterson and Andrea Miles followed with back-to-back scores to regain the lead for the Hillcats.

The lead swelled to eight points on a driving layup by Hardin inside the seven minute mark. The Claremore product gave the Cats a double digit advantage with two more free throws at the 2:52 mark and finished the night with a game-high 18 points. The Golden Eagles attempted to make a late run, but RSU converted its final six opportunities from the charity stripe to secure the win.

The Hillcats recovered from their early shooting woes to post a 40 percent shooting clip in the second stanza. JBU continued to struggle and finished with only 15 field goals on the night. Anna Parish was the only Golden Eagle to reach double figures with 10 points.

Miles joined Hardin in double figures for the Hillcats with 10 points. Hardin also tied a team record with five blocked shots in the contest.

Rogers State (8-1, 2-1) will play its final game of the semester Saturday afternoon. The Hillcats will welcome Dallas Christian to the Claremore Expo for a non-conference tilt. Tip-off has been moved to 2 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.