CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State women's basketball (4-23, 2-19 MIAA) dropped a 66-53 game to No. 10 Central Missouri (22-3, 18-3 MIAA) on Thursday to open the final homestand of the regular season.
 
Bailey Kliewer led the way for the Hillcats with 15 points and six rebounds as well as two assists and a steal. Kaya Goldsby put up 10 points with five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Kamryn Estell contributed six points, five rebounds and two assists.
 
The first quarter was a defensive slugfest as neither team was able to score in the first two minutes. RSU finally got the first two buckets of the night as Trinity Jackson sank two free throws for a brief 2-0 lead. The Jennies rolled up a 14-5 run the rest of the quarter for a 14-7 lead going into the second quarter.
 
UCM opened the second quarter with a 4-0 run to take their first double digit lead of the game at 18-7. The Hillcats battled back with a 6-0 run of their own to cut it to 18-13 with three minutes left in the half. The Jennies responded with a 6-2 run carrying a 24-15 margin into the break.
 
RSU came out the locker room fighting as they open the second half on a 7-3 run to trim the deficit to 27-21. UCM answered with a 9-2 run to go back up 36-23. They would control the rest of the period taking a 46-32 advantage into the final 10 minutes.
 
The Hillcats didn't stop fighting in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Jennies 21-20 in the period, but were never able to get the margin under double figures. UCM took its largest lead of the game at 59-41 and again at 66-48, but only ended up winning 66-53.
 
RSU will close out the regular season on Saturday. Feb. 25 as they host Lincoln on Senior Day. Tip off is slated for 1:30 p.m.