Rogers State University Athletics

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Rogers State women's basketball (10-17, 5-16 MIAA) fell 83-71 on the road to Central Missouri (20-7, 14-7 MIAA) on Thursday.
 
Alayzha Knapp led the Hillcats with 24 points to go with a game-high five blocks, four rebounds and three assists. Alyza Aikins, Trinity Jackson and Breanna Fowler all finished with eight points. Aikins added five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. Jackson added five assists and a block. Fowler added two rebounds, an assist and a block.
 
The Hillcats looked up to the task of upsetting the Jennies early on as they started the game on a 7-4 run. However, UCM responded with a 6-2 run to take their first lead at 10-9. RSU would not be denied though as they answered back with a 12-2 run to take their largest lead of the game at 21-12 and carried a 21-15 margin into the second quarter.
 
The momentum completely reversed in the final 10 minutes of the half as the Jennies got hot and ripped off a 13-0 run to open the second period and go back up 28-21. They outscored RSU 28-10 in the quarter and finished the half on a 15-3 run to take a 43-31 advantage into the break.
 
In the third quarter, the Hillcats refused to quit fighting and managed to outscore UCM 23-21 in the period, but still trailed 64-54 with 10 minutes left. The Jennies again took control in the fourth quarter as they eventually pushed out to their largest lead of the game at 83-65 and eventually took the 83-71 win.
 
RSU will close out the regular season on Saturday, March 2 as they travel to Jefferson City, Mo. to face off against Lincoln in the regular season finale. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.