CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State women's basketball team fell short against No. 23 Southern Nazarene as the Crimson Storm edged the Cats 73-70 at the Claremore Expo on Thursday evening.
Senior Hunter Peterson knocked down a pair of free throws with less than one minute remaining in the game to knot the score at 68-68. Junior Logan Martin drove to the basket and hit a layup to gain a two-point advantage. With 34 seconds remaining Angie Criner drove to the basket and kicked the ball out to a wide open Peterson on the wing whose shot from long distance was off the mark and the Cats were forced to foul. Junior Sharmeda Johnson pushed the Crimson Storm's lead to four points with two made free throws. Sophomore Logan Froese cut SNU's lead in half with 14 seconds to play but Martin drained the front side of her double bonus free throws to take a three point lead. Criner put up a desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer but it was off the mark.
SNU used an 8-0 run to build momentum in the first seven minutes of the opening half. Froese halted the stretched as she battled in the paint and knocked in a layup. The bucket ignited a 14-1 stint that gave the Cats a 7-0 lead. However, the Crimson Storm chipped away at the deficit and ended the opening half with a 9-0 run, capped off by a trey by Martin from half court at the buzzer to take a 39-30 lead into intermission.
The score was tied 12 times throughout the contest with ten lead changes. Martin and Johnson led all scorers as they carried the Storm with 23 points apiece. Johnson added 10 rebounds for the double-double. Southern Nazarene (22-5, 16-3) shot 48 percent from the field, 50 percent from long distance and 74 percent from the charity stripe.
Froese led the Hillcats in scoring with 17 points. RSU went 12-of-13 from the stripe while shooting 43 percent from the floor and 33 percent from long distance.
The Hillcats honored four seniors tonight in what was supposed to be their final home game of the season prior to inclement weather. Crockett led the Cats with 14 points. The Reading, Pa. native is currently tied with former Hillcat, Jenny Hardin, for the career points per game record as she is averaging 13.2 points. She also holds the single-season steals record with 55 steals and counting. Andrea Miles wrapped up the night with 12 points. The Dallas, Texas native ranks first in career steals with 150 and second in career offensive rebounds with 158 and games played (108). Peterson added 11 points on the night as she has played 3, 058 minutes in a Hillcat uniform. She holds the career record for games played (120), games started (111) field goals made (364), field goals attempted (987), 3-pointers made (150), free throws made (183), assists (265) and points scored (1,061). She is the charter member of the 1,000 point club. Stewart rounded out the group with five points and six rebounds. The Chesapeake, Va. native is a two-year vet who has made 48 starts as she has scored 494 points and holds the single-season record for blocks with 26 and counting this season.
Rogers State (17-8, 11-7) will take the road on Saturday as they face the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be carried on RSU Radio 91.3 FM. For more information on Hillcat athletics visit rsuhillcats.com.
