TULSA, Okla. - Rogers State women's basketball showed some fight in the first half in an exhibition against Division I Oral Roberts to unofficially open the 2024-25 campaign, ultimately falling 104-51 in the contest.
 
"We battled really well in the second quarter, and in the first half overall," said Head Coach Heather Davis. "We did some great things and adjusted well to their pressure. But in the second half, we let their pressure dictate the game, and we have to figure out a way to not turn the ball over when we face adversity."
 
One Hillcat put up double digits, as Ataya Casaus scored 10 points and recorded four assists. Destiny Jones scored nine points and tallied four rebounds.
 
Casaus scored the first seven points for RSU, but the Hillcats were outscored 26-11 in the first quarter. Jones scored the last four points of the period. Despite giving up 26 points in the first 10 minutes, the Hillcats forced two turnovers against a high-powered offense.
 
RSU came to play in the second quarter, as they outscored the Golden Eagles 20-18 in the period. The Hillcats opened the quarter on a 14-5 run with plays like Cheyan McDaniel grabbing a tough rebound, then Jones scoring a transition basket on the other end, which resulted in the once large deficit being cut to single digits. ORU built out a double-digit lead, but McDaniel tallied two 3-pointers to score eight points in the second quarter. RSU only trailed 44-31 at halftime.
 
RSU utilized its bench well, as the Hillcats scored 16 points from non-starters. They were solid in the paint as well, scoring 18 points against an ORU team who had length.
 
In the second half, Casaus reached double digits, as she knocked down a 3-pointer in the third quarter. RSU scored 13 points in the period, but ORU ran out to a 77-44 lead going into the final 10 minutes.
 
The final period saw a Hillcat team who refused to quit. RSU scored half a hundred with a pair of free throws made by Kate Melton. The freshman scored eight total points for RSU and shot 80 percent from the free throw line.
 
RSU officially kicks off the season at home on Friday, Nov. 9 as they host Oklahoma Baptist in the first game of the MIAA/GAC Regional Challenge. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. inside the Claremore Expo Center.