LUBBOCK, Texas – The Rogers State women's basketball team faced a tough task at No. 1-ranked Lubbock Christian. The Lady Chaps pulled away for an 89-41 win on Saturday at the Rip Griffin Center.
 
RSU gained an early lead at 6-5 with all six points coming from Emily Gamble, who was playing for the first time since Jan. 28 due to injury. Trailing 5-0, the senior forward hit a layup and was fouled. With a made free throw, the Hillcats cut the deficit to 5-3. After getting a stop, Gamble knocked down a three-pointer with 6:41 left in the first period for a 6-5 RSU edge.
 
The Lady Chaps came back to score the next eight points to take a 13-6 advantage at the three minute mark. LCU went on to take a 20-10 lead after one period.
 
In the second period, it was all Lady Chaps as the home team outscored the Hillcats, 26-10. LCU held a 46-20 advantage at halftime.
 
The third period started with 14-2 run by LCU, and the Lady Chaps moved their lead to 65-30 after three periods.
 
In the final stanza, the Lady Chaps put up 24 points. LCU held its largest lead of 80-32 on its way to the 89-41 win.
 
LCU's Nicole Hampton scored a game-high 14 points going 5-for-5 shooting from the field. She was 3-for-3 shooting from the line. Hampton totaled a game-high seven assists and added four rebounds in only 27 minutes. Kelsey Hoppel and Hannah Harbin each added 10 points. Thirteen Lady Chaps scored in the game.
 
The Lady Chaps shot 58.2 percent (32-55) from the field and 47.1 percent (8-17) from three. The No. 1 team in the country finished with a 26-0 edge in points off turnovers.  
 
RSU was held to 28.6 percent from the field (16-56) with 21 turnovers. The shooting percentage is the lowest of the season for the Hillcats.
 
Heather Roberts finished with a team-high 10 points and grabbed four rebounds. Gamble totaled six points and five rebounds in her first game back from injury.
 
The Hillcats (12-11, 7-8 HC) return home for their final two home contests of the season. RSU starts with Oklahoma Christian on Thursday (Feb. 18) at 5:30 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center. Coverage is available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live and on RSUTV and 91.3 FM.