CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State got back in the win column with a 62-41 victory over Texas A&M International Thursday evening inside the Claremore Expo.
 
RSU made ten 3-pointers, the most in Heartland Conference action this season for the Hillcats, and outrebounded the Dustdevils by 14 boards including 28 defensive rebounds to match the 28 total rebounds by TAMIU to earn the victory.
 
Heather Roberts opened the game with a 3-pointer and the Hillcats rode hot shooting from behind the arc for the remainder of the first half. RSU hit 37.5 percent from long distance as senior Courtney Smith and Roberts combined to make all six 3-pointers for the Cats in the opening half.
 
RSU led 19-12 at the end of the first quarter hitting five of its six 3-pointers in the first period hitting at a 55.6 percent clip.
 
As the teams entered the locker rooms at the half it was the Hillcats work on the glass that stood out with RSU pulling down as many defensive rebounds, 14, as the Dustdevils pulled down total rebounds. TAMIU pulled in just one offensive rebound in the first 20 minutes of play as three players played the full first half for the Dustdevils. RSU responded with six players off the bench combining for 18 points, including nine points from Smith.
 
The Hillcats closed the second quarter and opened the second half with 13 unanswered points over 5:20 of play stretching a five point lead up to a 36-18 lead with 7:45 to go in the third quarter. The Hillcats took a 13 points lead into the fourth quarter at 40-27.
 
Texas A&M International (2-17, 2-7) was able to cut the lead down to 10 points before the Hillcats went on an 18-7 run to close out the game and claim the 62-41 victory.
 
Joanna Perez led the way for the Dustdevils with a game high 15 points while Hannah Beede chipped in 11 points as TAMIU shot 32.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc.
 
Roberts led the way for the Hillcats as the junior guard shot 4-of-10 from 3-point range while Nikola Nedoroscikova finished with 11 points. Nedoroscikova dished out six assists finishing with a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio. Smith finished with nine points as RSU shot 32.3 percent from behind the arc and 36.7 percent from the field.
 
With the victory, Rogers State (6-13, 2-7) moves into a tie for seventh in the Heartland Conference standings and a game behind the Newman Jets.
 
The Hillcats welcome Heartland Conference leading St. Mary's to the Claremore Expo on Saturday, January 28 at 1 p.m. RSU TV channel 35.1 and Cox Cable channel 86 along with RSU Radio 91.3 FM will provided play-by-play coverage. Live video and audio streaming will be provided on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.