WICHITA, Kan. – Rogers State women's basketball (7-14, 1-11 MIAA) got off to an excellent start on the road at Newman (7-14, 2-10 MIAA) and built an 8-0 lead, but could not withstand the defensive pressure in the second half and lost 67-41 on Saturday.
 
"I am proud of the girls for starting the game well, but we have to figure out how to sustain our great moments," said Head Coach Heather Davis. "I have to do a better job teaching the girls how to overcome adversity. We stopped playing as a team when things didn't go our way. That is a real problem and makes it near impossible to win games in this league."
 
Ella Hafer scored 16 points for RSU. Isabella Stafford was strong on the glass, as she posted five rebounds. Alyza Aikins and Kate Melton both dished out four assists. Aikins and Jaiana Wiggins both had a block. Payton Conner tallied two steals. 
 
RSU jumped out to an 8-0 lead with plays like Wiggins making two layups and getting a rebound on the other end. But Newman closed the first quarter on a 13-5 run and tied it up at 13 going into the second quarter. 
 
The Hillcats matched their 13 points in the second quarter, which featured six lead changes. However, the Jets closed the first half on a 10-4 run and were ahead 32-26 at halftime.
 
Newman won the third quarter 17-2 with the lone points from RSU coming from a jump shot made by Hafer. In the final quarter, RSU scored 13 points again but gave up 19 points and lost the game 67-41.  One positive from the fourth quarter was that the Hillcats shot 7-8 from the foul line, but 10-18 for the game.
 
The Hillcats will look to regroup and return to the floor on Thursday, Feb. 6 when they host Missouri Western to begin a three-game homestand. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center.