Rogers State University Athletics

CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State women's basketball fell 76-61 in MIAA play to visiting Washburn on Saturday at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
How it Happened: The game started in a defensive battle with both teams struggling to score early. After Washburn score went up 5-0, senior Lilly Garner got the scoring going for the Hillcats in the first quarter with a two-point jumper at the 5:23 mark.
 
The teams alternated the lead twice in the first quarter, but Washburn took the lead with a 6-0 run to close the first quarter and end the frame with a 13-8 advantage.
 
The same could not be said about the second quarter. The Hillcats started slowly in the second quarter, as Washburn opened up the quarter with a 6-0 run.  However, eight points from junior Samariah Thompson and a pair of three pointers from Garner sparked a 14-0 run for the Hillcats, who took a 22-19 lead with 4:12 left in the half.
 
After Washburn tied the game at 22, the Hillcats went back in front for the remainder of the half and went into the locker roomer with a 27-26 advantage over the Ichabods.
 
The Ichabods came out strong to start the second half, going on a 13-to-2 run in the third quarter. The Ichabods would finish the quarter with a lead of 55-37.
 
The Hillcats trailed by as much as 20 in the fourth quarter, but were able to bring the game within 10, after a layup was made by Bailey Kliewer at the 2:03 mark in the final quarter. However, the Ichabods were able to hold the Hillcats off and secure the win.
 
Key Statistic: Washburn finished the game shooting 43 percent from the floor. The Hillcats shot just 36 percent from the floor.
 
Players of Note: Thompson finished the game with 23 points, shooting 5-for-13 from the field and 12-for-13 from the free-throw line. She also recorded five assists, four rebounds, and one steal. Thompson's 12 made free-throws is tied for fifth most in school history.
 
Garner finished the game with 11 points, shooting 4-for-13 from the field. She also recorded five assists, three rebounds, and one steal.
 
Sophomore Bailey Kliewer finished the game with nine points, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field. She also recorded five rebounds and one steal.
 
Junior Julie Luna finished the game with eight points, shooting 3-for-5 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. She recorded four steals and three rebounds.
 
Up Next: Rogers State hits the road for the final week of games in 2020 and begin a three-game week with the short trip to Tulsa on Monday to take on Oral Roberts. Tip off in the exhibition game for the Hillcats is set for 7 p.m. at the Mabee Center.