SHAWNEE, Okla - Rogers Stated grinded out its second consecutive road win Thursday night as the Hillcats held on late for a 55-50 victory over St. Gregory's at W.P. Wood Fieldhouse in Shawnee, Okla.
Â
RSU was held without a field goal for a seven and a half minute stretch in the second half and saw its 13-point lead dwindle to three in the final minute. Jenny Hardin beat the shot clock with the decisive basket, putting the Cats in front, 55-50, with 17 tics remaining. The Lady Cavs turned the ball over on the ensuing possession and RSU ran out the clock to escape with the win.
Â
St. Gregory's entered the night winless in conference play, but put up quite a fight against the Hillcats. The Lady Cavs grabbed an 8-2 lead out of the gate on a three by Carletta Hernandez. RSU was held without a field goal until Hardin dropped in a trey at the 15:30 mark. The Cats put together an 8-0 run midway through the half and took a 29-21 lead into the break.
Â
RSU pushed the advantage to double digits on a pull-up jumper by Hunter Peterson early in the second period. However, Hernandez refused to led the Cavs go quietly. The junior transfer evolved into a one-woman show for SGU, accounting for half of her team's offense with a game-high 25 points.
Â
The Cavaliers methodically chopped away at the lead while the Hillcats struggled to score any points in the closing minutes. Hernandez poured in three quick baskets to cut the deficit to single digits with 6:30 remaining. Leticia Silva converted a traditional 3-point play to make it a five-point game with two minutes left.
Silva struck again with 47 seconds remaining. The freshman forward converted a driving layup to make it a one possession game at 53-50. RSU patiently worked the shot clock and Hardin clinched the victory with a short jumper.
Hardin led RSU with 16 points. Kali Bassett tallied nine points on 3 of 5 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. The Hillcats were outrebounded by 12, but held SGU to 30 percent shooting on the night.
Rogers State (13-3, 5-3) returns home Saturday night to host third-ranked Oklahoma Baptist at the Claremore Expo. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Public Television and RSU Radio 91.3 FM. The first 500 fans will receive a free Hillcat "Rally Towel" courtesy of the RSU athletic department.
