CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State women's basketball team picked up their first MIAA win of the new year, with a 58-53 win over Northeastern State on Saturday at the Claremore Expo Center.
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Junior Samariah Thompson led the way for the Hillcats (2-7, 2-7 MIAA) with 20 points, as the Hillcats defeated the in-state conference rival Northeastern State (3-7, 3-7 MIAA) for the second-straight game in the series.
 
How It Happened: The Hillcats got off to a quick start to begin the game, as they jumped to an early 8-2 lead The Hillcats led the rest of the way in the first half.
 
Rogers State would lead by as many as nine points in the first half. Junior Katrina Christian led the Hillcats in scoring in the first half with 12 points, as the Hillcats went into the locker room with 29-21 advantage.
 
In the second half, visitors battled back and tied the game late. A layup from the RiverHawks at the :35 mark in the third quarter tied the game at 36. However, a last second layup from Thompson put the Hillcats up by two points heading into the fourth quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, the two teams continued to stay within two possessions of each other. Rogers State could not extend the lead to greater than six points.
 
The RiverHawks tied the game at 48 at the 3:27 mark in the fourth quarter, but back-to-back buckets from Christian and Thompson put Rogers State back in front for good.
 
Key Statistic: Rogers State was 24-for-56 from the field, shooting 43 percent in the game, while Northeastern State was just 21-for-65, shooting 32 percent.
 
Players of Note:  Thompson led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 8-for-14 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. She also recorded seven rebounds, two steals and an assist. Thompson scored her fifth 20+ point performance of the season.
 
Christian finished the game with 18 points off the bench. She also was 8-for-14 from the field. The junior also recorded six rebounds, one assist, and one steal. The 18 points is the top point performance for a Hillcat off the bench this season.
 
Sophomore Bailey Kliewer finished the game with six points. She added six rebounds and one assist.
 
Notables: Rogers State outscored Northeastern State 13-3 in fast break points.
 
The Rogers State bench outscored the Northeastern State 24-15.
 
The Hillcats led for 38:28 of the game. It is the first time this season that the opposition never led in the game this season.
 
The victory for the Hillcats snapped a five-game losing skid overall and a six-game losing skid at home dating back to last season. The last home win for the Hillcats also came against Northeastern State, 70-62, on February 8, 2020.
 
Up Next:  Rogers State is set to hit the road for the first time in 2021, as the Hillcats begin a two-game road swing with a trip to Jefferson City, Missouri to take on Lincoln University on Thursday, January 21. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m. at Jason Gym in the capital city.