CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State women were unable to overcome a costly second half as Oklahoma Christian came away with a 66-58 victory over the Hillcats Monday evening at the Claremore Expo.
 
RSU put the clamps on the Eagles in the second quarter as the Hillcats held the Eagles to just two field goals. OC shot just 16.7 percent and was held to 0-of-5 from behind the arc as the Hillcats outscored the Eagles, 20-6, in the period. Courtney Smith found the bottom of the net three times from long distance as the senior from Okay, Okla., helped close the quarter on an 18-3 run in favor of RSU and enter the break tied 31-31. Lindsey Byfield added a 3-pointer as RSU shot 44 percent in the quarter from behind the arc.
 
OC was red hot in the first quarter as the Eagles shot 60 percent from the field including an impressive 5-of-6 from 3-point as the Eagles led RSU 25-11. McKenzie Stanford contributed five points to the 7-0 start to the contest for OC.
 
The third quarter started similar to the first as the Hillcats saw OC score five unanswered points but RSU kept the deficit to three or less points over the first 7:20 of the quarter. Audrey Hayes tallied nine points for the Eagles as OC held a 45-39 advantage heading to the fourth quarter.
 
A traditional three point play by Rachel Block opened the final quarter of action as the Hillcats pulled back within three points just seconds into the period. OC would go on a 13-5 lead over the next four minutes of play to build an 11 point lead and the Eagles would hang on for a 66-58 victory.
 
Oklahoma Christian (9-10, 4-3) saw four players tally double-digit scoring led by Sarah Parker with a game high 18 points. Parker added eight rebounds as did McKenzie Stanford who finished with 12 points. Audrey Hayes totaled 15 points and Addy Clift added 12 points in the victory.
 
Natasha Kindred led the Hillcats with 16 points and Rachel Block added 11 points. Block, Heather Roberts and Darian Jackson pulled down six rebounds each as the Hillcats outrebounded OC 43-38. RSU shot 33 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point but visited the free throw line just 11 times compared to OC's 25 attempts.
 
Rogers State (5-12, 1-6) returns to action Saturday, February 21 at the Claremore Expo as UA Fort Smith visits as the Hillcats look to White Out the Lions. Fans are encouraged to wear white and the first 750 fans will receive a free white out t-shirt courtesy of BSN Sports. Live play-by-play coverage will be simulcast on RSU Radio 91.3 FM and on RSU TV channel 35.1. Audio and video streaming will be provided on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.