KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Rogers State Women's Basketball dropped a non-conference battle at Rockhurst on Saturday, falling to the Hawks 89-81 at the Mason-Halpin Field House.
 
The Hillcats and Hawks played in a back-and-forth battle early, as the game featured nine lead changes and seven ties in the first 20 minutes.
 
Rogers State opened up the biggest lead over the majority of the first half, going ahead 28-22 with the first basket of the second quarter. However, the hosts would work their way back and take the lead at 36-34.
 
The Hillcats would trail by five a few minutes later, but worked the game back to a tie at 41-41 before Rockhurst took control with a 10-0 run over the final 2:13 to close the half.
 
Despite the loss, Darian Jackson had a big night for the Hillcats with 18 points and nine rebounds, falling one board shy of a double-double. Jackson was 8-for-11 from the field. She also had a steal and an assist.
 
Alyche Brown scored her first career double-digit game with a career high 17 points. The freshman had four three pointers and was 6-for-10 from the field. The freshman also had a career high four steals and finished with three assists.
 
Samariah Thompson joined the group in double figures with 10 points and also collected six rebounds.
 
Vanessa Gajdosova led the Hillcats with five assists. She also had eight points and a steal.
 
Rogers State finished with 10 three pointers in the game, but were just 9-for-21 from the free-throw line, finishing at 43 percent for the game.
 
Rockhurst shot 48 percent for the game and were 26-of-34 from the free-throw line.
 
Rockhurst also had eight blocks and outrebounded the Hillcats 51-44.
 
Rogers State will look to rebound as the Hillcats officially open up the MIAA era with their first MIAA conference game. The Hillcats will tip-off the MIAA conference season against Central Oklahoma on December 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center.