LAREDO, Texas – The Rogers State women's basketball team suffered a 68-53 loss on the road at Texas A&M International Saturday afternoon in Heartland Conference action at TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building.
 
The Dustdevils used a late first-half run and controlled play in the second half securing the win on an afternoon where they won the turnover battle 17-4.
 
The Hillcats built a 12-6 advantage behind Jalissa Felici's three pointer and a Mikaila Newton layup on back-to-back possessions. The teams traded leads until Felici knocked down her second triple of the opening half putting RSU back in front 20-18 and Jordan Evans followed with a layup.
 
Jessica Woo hit a trey with nine seconds remaining in the first half as the Dustdevils closed the stanza scoring the final 11 points taking a 29-22 lead into the locker room at intermission.
 
TAMIU continued its run out of the break taking a double-digit lead, 36-26, after Jessica Prieto added to her point total with a three pointer three minutes into the half. The Hillcat deficit swelled to 18 points as the Dustdevils went on another 11-0 run halfway through the second frame.
 
RSU could not rally back for the second time on the weekend road trip getting no closer than 14 points falling, 68-53.
 
Newton paced the Hillcats with 17 points as the only player to reach double figures while Amari Jones grabbed a team-best eight rebounds and four blocks.
 
Prieto led all scorers with 26 points for TAMIU while Keiona Mathews added 22 as both connected on eight field goals.
 
Rogers State (7-14, 5-8 HC) returns home for its next two conference matchups starting with Oklahoma Panhandle State Thursday evening. The game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and will be Play 4Kay Night at the Claremore Expo Center to increase awareness for women's cancer. RSU also will have a silent auction with various items, including RSU memorabilia and baked goods with all proceeds going to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. For more information visit www.rsuhillcats.com/play4kay.