CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State women's basketball (9-16, 4-15 MIAA) dropped a heartbreaker to Central Oklahoma (7-18, 6-14 MIAA) in a 56-54 decision on Thursday.
 
Four Hillcats finished in double figures. Both Destiny Jones and Kylee Day led RSU with 12 points apiece. Jones added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals while Day added six rebounds and a block. Alyza Aikins put up 11 points with four rebounds. Trinity Jackson logged her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
 
The game was tight from the opening tip as neither side was able to get more than a single possession away from the other. The Hillcats opened the game on a 7-4 run, but quickly had the lead taken from them with five quick points to put UCO in front 9-7. In the remaining three and half minutes, the two sides traded the lead four times with two ties. Unfortunately, the Bronchos came out on top as they took a 15-14 margin into the second quarter.
 
RSU was able to find some momentum in the final 10 minutes of the half as they outscored UCO 14-11 in the period. They dashed out to their largest lead of the half at 26-22, but clung to a slim 28-26 advantage going into the break.
 
The Hillcats came out of the locker room on fire as they started the second half on a 12-4 run to take their largest lead of the game at 40-30 with 4:41 left in the third quarter. However, the Bronchos quickly turned around and ripped off an 11-0 run to retake the lead 41-40 before Breanna Fowler made a free throw in the final minute to send it to the fourth quarter deadlocked at 41-41.
 
The final 10 minutes were back-and-forth with six leads changes and five ties. With UCO tying the game at 54-54 with two minutes left, both teams squandered the next four possessions with turnovers and missed shots. After RSU was called for a foul with 1.8 seconds on the clock, UCO made both free throws to claim the 56-54 win.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 24 as they face off against Newman in the regular season home finale on Senior Day. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m.