CLAREMORE, Okla. – RSU women's basketball will begin its 2025-26 campaign with a pair of regional matchups against Southwestern Oklahoma State and Oklahoma Baptist. The games are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday as part of the GAC/MIAA Crossover Invite at the Pioneer Event Center in Weatherford, Oklahoma.
 
OPENING THE SEASON WITH A PAIR OF REGIONAL TESTS
The Hillcats will kick off their season at the GAC/MIAA Invite in Weatherford, Oklahoma, facing Southwestern Oklahoma State in their opener on Friday. SWOSU finished last season with a 16-13 record (12-10 GAC) and secured third place in the GAC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 106 points and three first-place votes.
 
"We want to make sure that we are integrated as a group heading into the game in Weatherford," Davis stated on the season-opening games. "We have key players who have come into the program and some who were hurt last year, who we look to make an impact in these games. We want to make sure that we can keep the team together as one and understand what our roles are on the court."
 
This will be the second meeting between the Hillcats and Lady Bulldogs. In their first encounter last season, Southwestern emerged victorious with a 71-60 win at the Claremore Expo Center. Ella Hafer led RSU with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while Jaiana Wiggins added 10 points and seven rebounds.
 
The weekend will conclude with another regional challenge on Saturday, as RSU takes on the Oklahoma Baptist Lady Bison. OBU wrapped up the 2024-25 season with a solid 20-9 record (16-6 GAC) and was ranked fifth in the GAC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 76 points.
 
This matchup will mark the 20th all-time meeting between RSU and OBU. The Lady Bison currently lead the series 11-8, but the Hillcats claimed victory in last season's encounter in Claremore, winning 62-48, aided by a standout performance from Hafer, who recorded 16 points and eight rebounds.

For more information on the crossover, visit TOURNAMENT CENTRAL - Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics.
 
REMAINING NON-CONFERENCE SLATE
After the season-opening games in Weatherford, the team will continue its non-conference schedule in Oklahoma, taking on East Central in Ada on Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. They will then open their home season against Ozark Christian on Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Claremore Expo Center. RSU collected its first win in five meetings against East Central last season, winning 61-51 in Ada. The Hillcats are 2-0 against Ozark Christian, including a decisive 99-44 victory last season at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
Following the home games, the team will travel to Colorado for contests against Regis in Denver on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. and Colorado Mines in Golden at 5:30 p.m. They will conclude November with a matchup against Henderson State at home on Nov. 29 at 1:30 p.m. This will mark the first time the Hillcats face the Rangers and Orediggers, who are members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). The matchup against the Reddies will be the sixth all-time meeting between the programs, with RSU claiming a 73-68 win in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, last season.
 
"I think it is going to be exciting, not only is it exciting to go somewhere different, but there are a lot of kids on my team who have never even been to Colorado," Davis remarked on the Colorado trip. "Also, getting to play somebody who is completely different and playing these schools for the first time in school history is really cool as well." Davis added, "We will get to enjoy each other as a team and get to do a little bonding on our downtime, which will be really beneficial for the group."
 
Right before Holiday Break, the Hillcats will host Haskell Indian Nations at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, before closing out the 2025 portion of the schedule against Oklahoma Christian on Dec. 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center. RSU is 2-0 against Haskell, with the last year's results coming by the way of a dominant 79-46 win in Claremore. OC holds a slim 14-10 series advantage. They claimed a 76-66 victory last year in Oklahoma City.

MIAA AT A GLANCE
In the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, Rogers State women's basketball was picked 13th with 28 points, ahead of Newman.
 
"I think this conference is stacked from top to bottom; you could win or lose on any given night. Even if you are the one playing the 14, because there are no bad teams," Davis commented on the MIAA. "Everyone is going to bring it every single game because they are really well coached. So, you have to be on you're A-game all the time."
 
Fort Hays State topped the poll with 152 points and two first-place votes, while Washburn received the most first-place votes with six. Pittsburg State (144 [5]), Central Missouri (138 [1]) and Nebraska-Kearney (135) rounded out the top five.
 
Pittsburg State won both the 2024-25 regular-season and tournament titles, advancing to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Fort Hays State and Missouri Western also represented the MIAA in the NCAA tournament last year.
 
League play will kick off with road games against Missouri Southern on Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. and Pittsburg State on Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m. The Hillcats will return home to Central Oklahoma on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.
 
On New Year's Day, the RSU will travel to Wichita, Kansas, for a matchup with Newman. Additional road games include clashes with Fort Hays State on Jan. 22, Nebraska-Kearney on Jan. 24, Missouri Western on Feb. 5, Northwest Missouri State on Feb. 7, Central Oklahoma on Feb. 14, Northeastern State on Feb. 25 and Arkansas-Fort Smith on Feb. 28.
 
At home, the Hillcats will also face Arkansas-Fort Smith on Jan. 7, Northeastern State on Jan. 10, Pittsburg State on Jan. 14, Missouri Southern on Jan. 17, Emporia State on Jan. 29 and Newman on Jan. 31. February's home schedule features games against Central Missouri on Feb. 19 and Washburn on Feb. 21 for Senior Day.
 
The MIAA Tournament is scheduled for March 4-8 at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City.

MEET THE HILLCATS
The 2025-26 season roster features 11 returners, including four of the five starters from last season. The Hillcats will welcome five newcomers, including three transfers and two incoming freshmen.
 
"The month of October was a little rough with injuries to some key players, but this has allowed for others who wouldn't be getting as many reps, get a lot more reps that will help them get better and ready for the season opener on Nov. 14," Davis commented. "The newcomers have integrated great with transfers Samantha Shanks and Marcela Pinedo really stepping up in their roles. The freshmen continue to get better each day, and I look forward to seeing how they progress throughout the season."
 
"Several of the returners have been doing really well and continue to grow with the starting experience that they already have as a Hillcat," Davis stated on the players returning. "This year is a little bit different than last, so they have been learning and integrating like the newcomers as well. Last year, we were in the trenches with 11 new faces, whereas this year, we have flipped the script a little bit, and now they know what to expect and how to get better from the lessons learned last season. Our theme this year is "Be the Change," so what can they do with it moving forward?"

THE SENIORS
Hafer will return to the Hill for her final season. The forward from Joplin, Missouri, played in 28 games, starting all of them last season. She averaged a team-high 13.2 points per game and logged 26.1 minutes per game, along with a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 37 steals and eight blocks. Her best performance came during a road game at Oklahoma Christian and she also recorded five double-doubles.
 
Wiggins will represent the Red and Navy in her senior season. The forward from Oklahoma City native played in 27 games last year, starting 22 of them. She averaged 5.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 24.8 minutes per game, and recorded a team-high 41 blocks and 25 steals. Her best performance of the season came in a game against Washburn.
 
Cheyan McDaniel is poised for a breakout season with the Hillcats in her final collegiate year. The guard from Dewey, Oklahoma, played in 28 games with 11 starts during the 2024-25 campaign. She averaged 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and one assist per game while logging 19.9 minutes per contest. She also recorded 28 steals and 11 blocks. McDaniel's best performance came in an 84-17 victory over Randall at home, where she scored 16 points and made six field goals.
 
Ankara, Turkey, native Michelle Arens will conclude her career with the Hillcats this season. Last season, the forward played in 25 games, averaging 1.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.56 assists per game, while logging 10.7 minutes of playing time per game. She recorded eight blocks and four steals over the season. Her best performance came in an 84-17 victory over Randall, where she scored eight points, made four field goals and blocked four shots.
 
Bailey Layman will compete in her senior season in her home state of Oklahoma. The guard from Cleveland appeared in 15 games with nine starts last season, averaging 8.7 points per game in 24.7 minutes per game. She recorded 1.6 rebounds per game, 0.5 assists per game, 10 steals and one block. Her season-best performance came in an 84-17 victory over Randall at home, where she scored 14 points and made four 3-pointers.
 
Isabella Stafford aims to end her career on a high note this season with the Hillcats. The guard from Conroe, Texas, played in six games last season, averaging 2.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and three steals per game in 11.8 minutes. Her best performance of the season came during a game at Missouri Southern.
 
Guard Samantha Shanks will play her final season for the Red and Navy after starting her career at Southern Mississippi and Connors State College. The Webber Falls, Oklahoma, native appeared in 20 games for the Lady Eagles last season, totaling 19 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and eight steals.
 
Senior Kenzie Macklin will transition from the soccer pitch to the basketball court at Rogers State. The guard from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, played for the Hillcat women's soccer team in the fall, appearing in 32 games with 20 starts. She finished the season with eight points, contributing three goals and two assists. In high school, Macklin recorded 925 points and 600 assists playing basketball (home-schooled).
 
THE JUNIORS
Destiny Jones returns for her third season on the Hill. The guard from Dallas, Texas, appeared in 28 games with 12 starts last season, averaging 6 points in 19.3 minutes per game, along with 2.1 rebounds per game, 0.8 assists per game, 26 steals and four blocks. Her season-best performance came during a home game against Northwest Missouri.
 
Ataya Casaus aims to bounce back following a season-ending injury last year. The guard from Edmond, Oklahoma, appeared in one game, making one start. During that game, she scored two points in three minutes and collected one rebound.
 
Marcela Pinedo joined the team after transferring from Laramie County Community College. The forward from Madrid, Spain, was selected for the All-Region IX North team and averaged 10 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

The SOPHOMORES
Kate Melton returns for her second season on the Hill after an impressive freshman year. The guard from Edmond, Oklahoma, appeared in 28 games with 24 starts. She averaged 7.9 points per game while playing 29.3 minutes per game, contributing 3.5 rebounds per game, a team-high 3.2 assists per game, 35 steals and 10 blocks. Her season-best performance came when she scored 20 points against Northwest Missouri.
 
Addison Mootry is poised to break out in her sophomore season. The guard from Inola, Oklahoma, appeared in seven games last year, averaging 1.9 points and 7.4 minutes per game. Her best performance came in a 99-44 victory over Ozark Christian at home, where she scored seven points.
 
THE REDSHIRT FRESHMEN
Kyra Allison redshirted her first season with the Hillcats due to an injury. The guard from Ponca City, Oklahoma, was a standout for the Wildcats in high school, averaging 19 points per game and earning first-team All-Conference honors in 2023.
 
THE FRESHMEN
Reagan Fowler joins the program from Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City. The guard was named a First Team selection in the Great Metro Athletic All-Conference and received Honorable Mentions for both Little All-City and All-State 4A, as well as in the Greater Metro Athletic Conference. Fowler averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the Chargers.
 
Bailey Braxton joins Claremore from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa. The 6-foot-3 center averaged 10 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Hornets.
 
MEET THE NEW ASSISTANT COACHES
Assistant coaches Shillalie Jones and Tyler O'Connor joined the program in August 2025.
 
Jones completed her eighth season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) in the 2024-25 season, helping lead the team to the Region II finals with a 16-3 conference record. She guided the Lady Norse to multiple appearances in the Region II Tournament, including a runner-up finish with her sister Jo'Nah Johnson in 2018-19. Jones also coached in the NJCAA Top 40 All-Star Game and contributed to NEO's consecutive conference titles and a 27-5 overall record in her first season. Previously, she was an assistant coach at Garden City Community College and began her career in 2015 at Midwest City High School. Jones played at Seminole State College, Henderson State University, and Langston University, where she helped secure a berth in the NAIA Nationals.
 
"I have known Shillalie Jones for a long time. I actually coached her sister. She kind of already knows my personality and everything," Davis said about Jones. "She is coming from a coach different from what I am, which is a bit of an adjustment, but she has overall adjusted just fine to the new scenery coming from the JUCO level."
 
O'Connor began his coaching career at Central Michigan University as a student manager, where he assisted with practices and team operations. He later served as an assistant coach at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, focusing on developing basketball fundamentals and fostering a strong team culture. O'Connor also volunteered at Oakland University, aiding player preparation and development. A native of Macomb, Michigan, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management and a Master's degree in Administration in 2024.
 
"Tyler, just getting in for his first coaching job, has that eager energy," Davis remarked on O'Connor. "He wants to do anything that will help, and I love seeing him continue to grow every single day. It has been fun to watch."
 
FINAL WORDS FROM COACH DAVIS
"We just want you to come out and give us a chance. I hope that once you come out and see us, you'll see how hard the kids play and how fun it is to watch them. The first step is just to come out and show some support at the Expo in person and go from there."
 
For more information and updates on the women's basketball program, visit Women's Basketball - Rogers State University Athletics.