EMPORIA, Kan. – Rogers State women's basketball fell to Emporia State 79-56 Saturday afternoon in MIAA play at White Auditorium to close the Kansas road trip for the Hillcats.
 
The Hillcats (5-11, 5-11 MIAA) could not overcome a slow start against Emporia State (11-3, 11-3 MIAA), who are receiving votes in the WBCA top-25 poll, despite a game high 19 points from Bailey Kliewer.
 
How It Happened: Emporia State's Tre'Zure Jobe hit a trio of three pointers to fuel an 11-0 run for Emporia State in the first three minutes of the game.
 
Four different Hillcats would score on a 9-3 run for Rogers State in response to cut the deficit to 14-9, but that would be as close as the Hillcats would get to Emporia State.
 
The Hornets immediately responded with a 12-0 run in less than four minutes to open up a 17-point lead in the final minute of the opening quarter.
 
The Hillcats started the second quarter on a 7-0 run and then cut the deficit to nine on a three pointer from Lilly Garner. The teams traded two-point possession on the next four overall possessions before a three pointer from the hosts put Emporia State in front by double digits for the remainder of the game.
 
Rogers State would outscore Emporia State 16-11 in the second quarter, but went into the break trailing 39-27.
 
The Hillcats and Hornets traded baskets for a majority of the third quarter aside from an 8-0 run over two minutes late in the frame as Emporia State opened up a 23-point lead.
 
Rogers State hit a couple early three pointers in the fourth quarter, but the Hornets answered with three pointers of their own to keep the Hillcats from making a run.
 
A 7-0 run from the Hillcats saw the difference cut to 14, but that would be as close as Rogers State could get to Emporia State, who used an 11-2 run late to seal the victory.
 
Key Statistic: Emporia State sank 13 three pointers, shooting 43.3 percent from three-point range in the game. Rogers State had just six three pointers, shooting 21.4 percent from long range.
 
Players of Note: Kliewer led all Hillcats and tied Jobe for a game high 19 points. Kliewer was 8-for-19 from the field and also led the Hillcats with eight rebounds.
 
Garner sank four three pointers for all 12 of her points on the afternoon. Garner led the Hillcats with three steals and also shared for a team high three assists.
 
Samariah Thompson was the only other Hillcat in double figures, finishing with 10 points. Thompson also had five rebounds and matched Garner with three assists. She added a pair of steals defensively.
 
Zoey Whiteley was one of the leaders on the glass for the Hillcats. The guard had six rebounds, including three offensive rebounds. She also made her only shot attempt of the game, finishing with two points.
 
Notes from the Game: The Hillcats finished the game with 31.3 percent shooting for the game, while Emporia State was 46 percent from the field.
 
Emporia State led the Hillcats on the glass with 44 rebounds to 36 from RSU. However, the Hillcats had 12 offensive rebounds to nine from the Hornets.
 
Both teams finished with 15 turnovers. Emporia State scored 14 points off turnovers, while Rogers State ad just seven.
 
Up Next: The Hillcats return home for the first of three-straight games at the Claremore Expo Center to close the home schedule for 2020-21. The Hillcats will welcome in No. 11 Fort Hays State on Thursday for the first of those games and are set to tip off with the Tigers at 5:30 p.m.