WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Rogers State women's basketball team opened the 2015-16 season with a come-from-behind, scrappy victory over Midwestern State, 51-48, on the road at D.L. Ligon Coliseum Friday night.
 
Natasha Kindred sparked the Hillcats in her debut, recording a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double and Kami Bunch hit a go-ahead jumper with 30 seconds remaining pushing past the Mustangs, a team receiving votes in the national preseason polls.
 
After the Mustangs raced in front 14-6 in the first quarter behind 10 points from leading returner Whitney Taylor, the Hillcats took control of the second period. RSU cut into the deficit out-scoring MSU 15-8 by hitting 7-of-13 shots from the floor, making it a one-point game at halftime, trailing 22-21. Rachel Block scored all five of her points during the 10-minute section.
 
Bunch capped a 9-0 run for the Hillcats early in the third period scoring five-straight points. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native drained a wide-open three pointer from the left wing and followed with a pull-up jumper stretching the lead to 30-24 as the defense forced MSU turnovers on three-straight possessions.
 
Lauren Schuldt closed the frame by grabbing a tough offensive rebound underneath the basket and snuck in a left-handed layup to even the score, 35-35, through three quarters of action.
 
Lindsey Byfield opened the final stanza with a three pointer and Emily Gamble made it a 40-35 game on a layup from a perfect feed from Bunch, who finished the night with a game-high five assists. A pair of free throws by Carlye Bohannan stretched the advantage to the highest of the game, 46-38, with 4:05 remaining before the Mustangs rallied.
 
MSU's Kristin Rydell came off the bench and scored eight points, including two three pointers, in the fourth quarter as the Mustangs moved back in front 48-47 with 58 seconds showing on the clock.
 
On the next RSU possession, Bunch broke away from close defending and banked-in a long-range jumper putting RSU back in front 49-48 and sealed the three-point win hitting two free throws.
 
Kindred scored 10 points and pulled down 10 boards to go with three blocks, while Bunch and Gamble added nine points each. RSU converted 17 turnovers into 18 points on the other end of the floor and won the battle in the paint by a 28-16 margin.
 
Despite not scoring over the final three quarters, Taylor paced the Mustangs with 10 points and MSU held a 46-33 advantage on the glass.
 
RSU closes its season-opening weekend facing off against Texas Woman's University Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. Catch the action on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.