TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Rogers State women's basketball team led by as many as 18, but has to force four turnovers in the final 40 seconds and use an 8-0 run to rally for a 58-54 win at Northeastern State Tuesday at the NSU Event Center.
 
Trailing 54-50, Rachel Block got a steal with 39 seconds left, was fouled, and made one of two free throws. The junior forced another turnover on a steal 10 seconds later and made two free throws for a 54-53 deficit after being fouled again.
 
With 20 seconds to play, Kami Bunch stole the ball at midcourt and Heather Roberts grabbed an offensive rebound and put in a layup to give RSU the 55-54 advantage with 14 seconds left. The RiverHawks committed their fourth turnover with five seconds on the clock before Bunch and Emily Gamble put the game away from the free throw line.
 
The Hillcats built an 18-point advantage at 40-22 with 3:40 left in the third period after Lauren Schuldt converted at the basket following her own rebound. The 18-point edge was the largest of the game for RSU as it looked to be in control using a 10-2 run to open the third quarter.
 
NSU made it a ballgame going on a 20-0 run, including six triples, to gain a 42-40 advantage with 6:50 left in the fourth period. Bunch ended an almost eight-minute scoring drought for the Hillcats with a three pointer with 6:43 remaining.
 
NSU went up 54-50 with 1:30 left after back-to-back baskets from Kate Bellamy before the Cats rallied back for the road victory scoring the final eight points.
 
RSU finished shooting 37.3 percent (19-51) from the field and 40 percent (8-20) from long range. The Hillcats held a 40-32 edge in rebounding over the RiverHawks.
 
Gamble totaled a team-high 10 points, while Bunch finished with nine points and seven assists, a game high. Block totaled five points, all at the free throw line, and added a game-high eight rebounds and five steals.
 
NSU's Kate Bellamy and Danielle Robertson each totaled 14 points to pace the team as six different RiverHawks hit three pointers in the contest.
 
The Hillcats (4-1) return home Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest against Northwestern Oklahoma State at the Claremore Expo Center. Follow the action on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.