GOODWELL, Okla. – Senior Katy Harsen tallied a career-high 33 points powering the Rogers State University women's basketball team past Oklahoma Panhandle State University 87-73 in the first-ever meeting between the schools Saturday in the Heartland Conference from Oscar Williams Field House.
The Hillcats snapped a two-game losing streak by outscoring the Aggies 45-34 in the second half breaking open a close game and led by as many as 22 points down the stretch to win on the road for just the second time this season.
With the scored tied 5-5 early, RSU took control behind a 9-2 run and later build their largest lead of the opening half 22-13 after DaNara Day nailed a three pointer with less than 12 minutes remaining.
The Aggies, coming off their first conference win of the season Thursday, fought back to get within one on a 9-1 stretch and eventually evened the score 27-27. Harsen scored eight of her 20 first-half points in the final four minutes, including six from the free throw line as the team hit 11-of-12 at the charity stripe, helping the Hillcats regain a six-point lead.
OPSU's Sarah Johnson knocked down a 28-foot, buzzer-beating three to close the half with RSU still in front 42-39. Johnson finished the day with 31 points following a career-best 38 Thursday leading four Aggies in double figures.
The two teams traded leads six times in the second half until the Hillcats broke a 54-54 tie by scoring the next 13 points, with 11 from Harsen on a three pointer and two old-fashioned, three-point plays.
RSU's lead swelled to as many as 22 points 79-57 with 5:40 to play aided Jackie Bueno's career-best eight points while Breanna Burford added 11 securing the conference victory with the bench outscoring OPSU 33-0.
The Hillcats (5-11, 2-8 HC) return to the Claremore Expo next Saturday (Jan. 18) to face the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed live on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live and on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.
