TULSA, Okla. - The Roger State women's basketball team gave NCAA Division I opponent The University of Tulsa a scare on Tuesday night as the Hillcats kicked off the 2011-12 season with 54-50 exhibition loss at the Reynolds Center.

With 12:32 to play in the second half Sierra Cornwell hit a jumper to knot the game, 33-33.

TU guard Taleya Mayberry hit back to back jumper to give the Hurricane a four-point cushion. TU's largest lead of the second half came with five minutes to play as Mayberry hit a jumper to increase the lead to eight points.

The Hillcat weren't fazed as Cornwell and Leah Smith hit back to back treys to cut the deficit to a bucket.

The Hillcats missed critical shots from the free throw line down the stretch and the Tulsa pushed its lead to four with less than a minute to play. RSU had chances to cut the deficit but could not get a shot to fall in the final seconds of play.

The Hillcats struggled from the charity stripe, shooting just 32 percent. They shot 36 percent from the field and 37 percent from behind the arc. Gianna Woods and Ariani Silva led the Cats in scoring with 14 points apiece. Sierra Cornwell also reached double figures with 22 points while leading the team in rebounds with eight and steals with five.

Mayberry led the Hurricane in scoring with 16 points. Chanice Scott was the only other Tulsa player to reach double digits with 11 points.
The Hillcats never trailed by double figures in the contest and the score was tied four times. RSU opened the game with the first bucket as junior Logan Froese converted a layup.

Rogers State will open the regular season on the road as the Hillcats travel to Baldwin, Kan. for a pair of games over the weekend. The Hillcats will play MidAmerica Nazarene on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and take on Baker University on Saturday at 3 p.m.