JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Rogers State women's basketball (10-18, 5-17 MIAA) came up short 62-57 against Lincoln (8-20, 4-18 MIAA) in the regular season finale on Saturday.
 
Two Hillcats finished in double figures. Alayzha Knapp led all scorers with 20 points and finished just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds as well as two steals, an assist and a block. Cayden Mershon put up 14 points with two steals and an assist. Alyza Aikins contributed nine points with six steals, three assists and two rebounds.
 
RSU jumped out to an early 3-2 lead to start the game. However, the Blue Tigers responded with a 13-4 run to go up 15-7 with just under three minutes left in the first quarter. They eventually took a 15-11 lead into the second period.
 
In the second quarter, the Hillcats kept fighting as they were able to get within one point at 18-17 with 6:53 left in the half. Again though, Lincoln used a 9-0 run to take their first double digit lead of the game at 27-17. RSU refused to go down though as they closed out the half on a 12-3 run of their own to cut the deficit back down to 30-29 headed into the break.
 
The Hillcats tried to keep that momentum going in the start of the second half as they were able to briefly regain the lead at 31-30 and again at 35-33 early in the period. Unfortunately, the Blue Tigers went on a 7-0 run to push back out to a 40-35 lead and eventually carried a 44-41 margin into the fourth quarter.
 
Both teams kept battling in the fourth quarter as LU opened on a 6-0 run to go up 50-41, but a 7-1 run by RSU brought the deficit back down to 51-48. The Hillcats kept getting within three points of the lead but could never get over the hump to regain it. Lincoln eventually claimed the 62-57 win.