OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Rogers State women's basketball team registered a record setting afternoon in its 87-57 victory over Mid-America Christian on Saturday at the Gaulke Activity Center.
RSU snapped a three-game losing streak and broke a pair of records in the victory over the Lady Evangels. The Hillcats hit a program best 13 three pointers to beat the previous record of 11 treys set on Feb. 28, 2009 against St. Gregory's. RSU also dished a record setting 25 assist, erasing the previous record of 24 assists against Oklahoma Wesleyan on Nov. 29, 2010. The victory marked Head Coach Amy Williams' 85 career coaching win.
The Hillcat women were unstoppable in the second frame as they outscored the Lady Evangels 15-2 in the first four minutes of the half to take a 21 point advantage. MACU was forced to take a time out and junior guard Parris Price converted a layup after the break to stop the rally. However, the Hillcat offense did not relinquish as senior Brittani Smith and junior Ariani Silva drained back-to-back treys to push the lead to 25 points and never looked back. The Cats outscored the Lady Evangels 48-26 in the second stanza as MACU tallied 19 turnovers and shot 42 percent from the field.
Coach Williams' squad ended the first half on a 7-0 run to lead 39-31. The eight-point advantage was the largest lead of the half for either team as there were three ties and six lead changes. Brittani Smith started the rally with a put back and freshman Larrielle Giles completed the run with a conventional three-point play.
The Hillcats drained eight second half three pointers and Silva finished with six buckets from long distance, one shy of the single-game record set by Hunter Peterson at St. Gregory's on Feb. 28, 2009. Silva was one of five players to finish in double digits scoring. The Franca, Brazil native led the Cats with 18 points followed by Leah Smith with 15 points and Brittani Smith with 13 points. Sierra Cornwell and Gianna Woods rounded out the group with 10 points apiece.
RSU out rebounded the Lady Evangels 40-32 and swiped 11 steals.
Rogers State (10-6, 4-4) will return to action on Thursday as it travels to Oklahoma Christian at 6 p.m. Live audio streaming will be provided at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.
