CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State women's basketball team rounded out its four-game homestand with a thrilling, 66-64, come-from-behind victory over Texas-Permian Basin Saturday afternoon.
 
Jordan Evans helped get the comeback started with a layup that ignited a 9-0 run capped by an Amari Jones layup to give RSU its first lead of the contest, 42-40, with 11:14 to play in the game. The teams traded buckets before UTPB used an 8-0 run to push its advantage to seven points.
 
With five minutes to play, Mikaila Newton converted a conventional three-point play and the RSU defense came up with back-to-back stops along with consecutive jumpers by Newton and Jones to knot the score with four minutes to play. The lead seesawed for the final three minutes.
 
Newton went coast-to-coast and buried a layup to give RSU a one-point lead with 44.1 seconds to go in the contest. UTPB answered with a bucket but the Hillcats weren't done. Newton dropped in a layup to give RSU a one-point lead and the Falcons' Giselle Loya missed a three pointer and Evans hauled in the rebound for RSU, leaving UTPB forced to foul. With four seconds left Evans drained the front side of her double bonus free throws but missed the second and a jump ball was called on the rebound, giving the Falcons the ball with one second on the clock.
 
UTPB threw the ball the length of the court and tipped it out on its own end line. Newton caught the inbound pass and was fouled, despite missing both free throws, RSU grabbed the final rebound to run out the clock and earn the win.  
 
The Falcons never trailed in the opening frame, pushing its lead to 12 points with a trey from Brianna Jones. The Hillcats chipped away at the deficit over the final four minutes, outscoring UTPB 9-4 to trail 30-26 at intermission.
 
Breanna Burford led the Hillcats in double figures with 20 points to tie her career high. Newton followed with 15 points to round out the Hillcats scoring in double digits. Jones led five Falcons in double figures with 15 points.
 
Rogers State (6-13, 4-7 HC) takes the road on Thursday as the Hillcats travel to San Antonio, Texas to take on St. Mary's. The game is slated for 5:30 p.m. and will be streamed on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live and on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.