JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Rogers State women's basketball set multiple records as the Hillcats held on to defeat Lincoln 81-79 Thursday night in MIAA play at Jason Gym.
 
The Hillcats broke an MIAA record, set an RSU record, tied another RSU record and Bailey Kliewer set an NCAA era record in the win, a second-straight victory for Rogers State as they improved to 3-7.
 
How It Happened: The Hillcats started strong and went on to set an MIAA record in the first quarter. Lilly Garner hit the opening three on the first possession of the game, followed by seven more threes from four more Hillcats as Rogers State scored 37 points in the opening 10 minutes.
 
The Hillcats scored the opening 11 points of the game and expanded the lead to as much as 29 points at 37-8 before Lincoln scored the final four points of the quarter.
 
The 37 points in the first set an MIAA record for points in any quarter, breaking the previous mark of 36 by Fort Hays State, set on November 17, 2017 against UC-Colorado Springs. It also set a new RSU record for points in a quarter.
 
The hosts would flip the script in the second quarter, holding the Hillcats to just eight points while Lincoln scored 25. Using the final four points of the opening quarter, the Blue Tigers went on a 23-2 run to cut the deficit to 39-31.
 
The Hillcat lead would get cut to 42-37 before a three pointer by Alyche Brown at the end of the second half gave the Hillcats a 45-37 lead at the break.
 
Rogers State expanded the lead to nine early in the third quarter, but Lincoln rallied late to cut the deficit to just two at 59-57, but the Hillcats scored five points to end the third and take a 64-57 lead into the final quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, Rogers State expanded the lead to nine at 71-62 with a three pointer from Katrina Christian. Christian's three was the 13^th of the game for RSU, tying the Hillcat record for a single game.
 
However, a 9-1 run saw Lincoln claw back to within one, cutting the Hillcat advantage to just 72-71 with 2:42 remaining.
 
Samariah Thompson then scored the next four points on back-to-back layups as the Hillcats went up 76-71. Thompson added five more points from free throws to hold off any chance of a comeback from Lincoln.
 
Key Statistic: The Hillcats were dominant from behind the arc, shooting 57 percent from three-point range with 13 three pointers, while Lincoln was just 39 percent from long range with seven three pointers.
 
Players of Note: Kliewer claimed an NCAA era record for rebounds in the game as she finished with 17 boards. The 17 rebounds are tied for fifth most in program history. Kliewer also fell one point shy of a double-double, as she finished with nine points.
 
Thompson set career highs in points and rebounds as she finished with 25 points to lead the Hillcats and also had eight rebounds. Thompson's 25 points is her sixth game of 20+ points this season. Thompson also added eight rebounds and a block and steal.
 
Vanessa Gajdosova was the only other Hillcat in double figures, as she finished with 17 points. The junior also had six rebounds five assists and a block and led the team with three steals.
 
Kloe Bowin tied a career high with three blocks.
 
Notables: The Hillcats 13 three pointers tied a record and has now been done four times, including both meetings against Lincoln in school history.
 
Rogers State scored 15 seconds into the game and led for the remaining 39:45.
 
The Hillcats led Lincoln in rebounds 45-37, including 33-22 in defensive rebounds.
 
Lilly Garner moved into sixth outright in the all-time list at Rogers State in career three pointers. She now has 83 for her career.
 
Up Next: The Hillcats will remain on the road and stay in the state of Missouri for a matchup with No. 22 Central Missouri on Saturday. The Hillcats will tip off with the Jennies in their only scheduled meeting of the season at 1 p.m. at the "Multi", UCM's Multipurpose Building