CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State women's basketball team pulled away for a 54-50 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday (Dec. 31) in the home Heartland Conference opener for the Hillcats at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
With the score tied at 41-41 after three periods, the navy and red built a seven-point advantage in the final stanza en route to the win. The Cats started with four straight points to gain a 45-41 edge on a Rachel Block layup with 8:41 remaining.
 
The Aggies cut the deficit to only one at 46-45 with a layup at the 3:56 mark, but RSU used two consecutive 3-pointers to go up seven points at 52-45 with 1:08 left. Lindsey Byfield hit the first triple at the 3:47 mark for a 49-45 advantage. Madison Dearmin put the Aggies away with a 3 with 1:08 remaining.
 
The navy and red hit free throws in the final minute to continue to lead by seven before an OPSU 3 at the buzzer made it the final margin of 54-50.
 
In the home conference opener, it was close throughout with the largest advantage the seven points by the Cats. After one period, the score was tied at 11-11 and it was 26-25 at halftime.
 
RSU's defense limited the Aggies to 33.3 percent from the field and forced 26 turnovers. OPSU hit only two 3-pointers in the game.
 
Natasha Kindred paced the Hillcats with 19 points as she was an efficient 9-of-12 shooting from the field. She added six rebounds. Lauren Schuldt posted nine points and a team-high eight rebounds. Block tallied a game-high five assists.
 
OPSU's Darby Price totaled a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes. She was the only Aggie in double figures scoring.
 
The Hillcats (5-8, 1-2) host Newman on Monday (Jan. 2) for a 1 p.m. game at the Claremore Expo Center. Live coverage will be available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.