EMPORIA, Kan. - Rogers State women's basketball (7-13, 1-10 MIAA) scored 21 points in the third quarter at Emporia State (8-12, 3-8 MIAA), but got behind early in the game and lost 73-49 on Thursday.
 
"ESU had us on our heels from the start, and we really did not have an answer in the first half," said Head Coach Heather Davis. "Everything that went wrong did, and we did not move the basketball well. In the second half, we moved the ball much better and found success on offense, but when you trail by 20 points, it is hard to come from behind against anyone in the MIAA."
 
Alyza Aikins led the Hillcats with 13 points. One point behind her was Ella Hafer with 12 points, who also tallied eight rebounds and two assists. Cheyan McDaniel added two blocks and Destiny Jones earned three swipes. Payton Conner scored a season-high eight points off the bench and Kate Melton posted two assists.
 
RSU struggled on both sides of the basketball in the first quarter and were outscored 23-7 going into the final 10 minutes of the half. The Hillcats played much better in the second quarter and scored 13 points. However, the Lady Hornets stretched their lead to 20 points and held a 40-20 advantage going into the locker room.
 
The third quarter was a bright spot for the Hillcats, with RSU outscoring ESU 21-20. Unfortunately, 13 of those 20 points came from made free throws by the Lady Hornets, who shot 13-13 from the foul line in the third quarter and set the score at 60-41 in favor of ESU headed to the fourth quarter.
 
In the final period, the Hillcats defended well from the start, as they did not allow a point until the 7:50 mark. However, RSU could not maintain the offensive success they found in the third quarter and suffered the loss 73-49.
 
RSU will return to the floor on Saturday, Feb. 1 when they travel to Wichita, Kan. to play Newman. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m.