PITTSBURG. Kan. – Rogers State women's basketball (8-13, 4-11 MIAA) stunned Pittsburg State (12-8, 7-7 MIAA) as Vanessa Gajdosova knocked down a buzzer-beating layup to give the Hillcats the 83-82 victory in double overtime.
This is the Hillcats first double-overtime win in over decade, when they beat Mid-America Christian on the road 73-64 on Feb. 14, 2011.
Two Hillcats finished with at least 20 points. Jordan Lewis led the way with a season-high 27 points with seven rebounds. Kylee Day posted a career-high 20 points with a team-high five steals and two blocks. Gajdosova was a rebound shy of a double-double with 19 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Zoey Whiteley contributed a career-high seven assists.
RSU stumbled out of the gate as the Gorillas went on an 8-2 run to open the game. However, the Hillcats steadied themselves and bounced back to take their first lead at 10-2 thanks to an 8-0 run of their own. Things were close for the remainder of the period with two lead changes and a tie. RSU came out on top though with a 17-16 lead headed into the remaining 10 minutes of the half.
Pitt State rallied in the second quarter and took control for most of the period. They managed to outscore the Hillcats 15-8 in the quarter and close out the half on an 12-3 run to carry a 31-25 lead into the locker room.
After the break, RSU went to work trimming the deficit. Even though the Gorillas took their largest lead of the half at 38-31 at 7:24, the Hillcats battled back and were able to knot things at 45-45 going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was incredibly close with seven lead changes and seven ties. Both teams matched each other shot for shot for most of the period with PSU's Tristian Gegg making a layup to send things to overtime all square at 65-65.
Things continued to be very even through both overtimes. In the second overtime, the Gorillas made the first of two free throws to go up 82-81 with three seconds left. However, Erin Davis missed the second shot and Gajdosova came down with the rebound and called a timeout. With two seconds on the clock, the Hillcats in inbounded the ball and got it to Gajdosova who drove the lane and drained a layup at the buzzer to shock Pitt State and give RSU the 83-82 victory.
The Hillcats will be back in action as they return home to Claremore Expo Center on Thursday, Feb. 3 to face off against Washburn. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
