CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State women's basketball (1-15, 1-12 MIAA) had a great offensive start in the first quarter at home against Missouri Western (14-6, 9-3 MIAA), but the Griffons hot shooting helped them to a 64-51 victory Thursday night at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
"Our effort was really good, and we are trending in the right direction," said Head Coach Heather Davis. "We defended well, but Missouri Western is hard to guard, and they can shoot it well. But after the first quarter, we were not good offensively and struggled to keep up. Kate Melton has the will to win, and I am super proud of her for stepping up and getting rebounds when we needed it."
 
Melton led the team in scoring and rebounds, with a career-high 17 points and seven rebounds, tying another career high. She shot 50 percent from deep, going 2-4, and went 5-6 from the free throw line. She also had two blocks. 
 
Cheyan McDaniel scored 11 points. Jaiana Wiggins and Emma Kay Martin each recorded two assists. Alyza Aikins came away with two steals. 
 
RSU jumped on the Griffons early as they led 9-3 two and a half minutes into the contest. The Griffons began to come alive as they went on an 11-0 run in a span of four minutes to make the score 14-9. RSU responded and went on a 10-5 run to tie it at 19 with MWSU hitting a layup at the end of the period to make it 21-19 going into the second quarter.
 
In the second quarter, RSU hung around and tied the game at 24, but the Griffons went on a 9-2 run. MWSU led by nine but with a little more than a minute to play, Melton hit a nice, contested layup to cut the deficit to 28-25. Both teams defended hard in the last minute, but RSU trailed 35-28 at the break.
 
The Hillcats defended well at the start of the third quarter, not allowing a point until the 6:32 mark with a made free throw. However, RSU struggled to find offense, and the Griffons eventually got going and built a double digit advantage late in the third quarter. McDaniel hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to nine, but the Hillcats found themselves down 47-38 going into the final 10 minutes.
 
In the fourth quarter, MWSU kept scoring and elevated their lead to as many as 16 points. The Hillcats did not threaten the Griffons' lead and dropped a 64-51 loss.
 
RSU will return to the floor on Saturday, Feb. 8 as they host Northwest Missouri. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center.