CLAREMORE, Okla. –  The Rogers State women's basketball team fell at home to No. 13 Nebraska-Kearney, 85-52, Saturday at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
The Hillcats (5-13, 5-13 MIAA) tied a school record with 10 blocked shots in the game, but were unable to contain a hot shooting afternoon for the Lopers (16-2, 16-2 MIAA).
 
Rogers State's 10 blocks matched a 10-block performance from the Hillcats against Texas A&M International in February of 2019.
 
How It Happened: The two teams began the game trading baskets in the first quarter. The Hillcats took their first lead after a layup was made by freshman Kloe Bowin at the 5:24 mark. The teams continued to battle close until Kearney used a 10-3 run over the final three minutes of the quarter to take a lead it never relinquished.
 
In the second quarter, the Lopers would get hot from behind the arc. An 11-4 run mid-way through the second quarter gave the Lopers a 13-point lead. Later on, in a 19-9 Lopers run, they shot 7-for-11 from the field with 2 three-pointers. The Hillcats trailed 32-49 at the half.
 
At the half, Thompson led the Hillcats with 10 points two rebounds, and an assist. The Lopers controlled the inside, as they outscored the Hillcats 26-18 in points in the paint. The Lopers also outscored the Hillcats 27-to-6 in points from the bench.
 
In the third, Freshman Zoey Whiteley provided a spark for the Hillcats early, as they started the quarter with a block, steal, and a fast-break score from Thompson with the assist coming from senior Lilly Garner.
 
However, The Lopers continued their momentum from the first half, as they led by as many as 25-points in the third and 33-points in the fourth quarter.
 
Key Statistic: Nebraska-Kearney nearly doubled up the Hillcats on the glass, winning the rebound battle 39-20, including 13 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points.
 
Players of Note:  Thompson led the Hillcats in scoring, finishing with 15 points and the only Hillcat in double figures. She also had three rebounds and an assist.
 
Bowin scored nine points, shooting 3-for-5 from the field. She also recorded three of the Hillcats' 10 blocks and also added a rebound.
 
Vanessa Gajdosova scored eight points. She led the Hillcats on the glass with four rebounds and also had block.
 
Sophomore Bailey Kliewer scored six points, shooting 2-for-3 from the field. She also recorded two rebounds and a block.
 
Freshman Shay Stone matched Bowin with a team high three blocks. Stone also had three rebounds and four points.
 
Lone senior Lilly Garner had four points, three assists, two steals and a rebound.
 
Notes from the game:  Nebraska-Kearney shot 35-for-64 (54.7 percent), while Rogers State only shot 20-for-50 (40 percent) from the field.
 
Nebraska-Kearny shot 7-for-14 (50 percent) from three-point range, while the Hillcats were just 2-for-12 (16.7 percent from behind the arc.
 
Up Next: The Hillcats are set to close out the 2020-21 home schedule at the Claremore Expo Center on Saturday as Rogers State welcomes in the University of Central Oklahoma. The Hillcats are set to tip off with the Bronchos in the first of two games next week at 5:30 p.m.