CLAREMORE, Okla. – Hillcat basketball returns to the Claremore Expo Center this week for a pair of key matchups against Arkansas-Fort Smith on Wednesday and Northeastern State on Saturday.
 
All RSU students, faculty and staff are eligible for free admission to all home sporting events. Faculty and staff can also bring one complementary guest. For questions, contact cking@rsu.edu.
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Rogers State women's basketball (5-8, 2-2 MIAA) will face UAFS at 5:30 p.m. and NSU at 1:30 p.m. this week.
 
The Hillcats opened the New Year with an exhilarating 62-53 win over Newman last week in Wichita. RSU capitalized with 32 points in the paint and held the Jets to just six points in the third quarter to complete the comeback. Samantha Shanks led the Cats with a season-best 18 points and collected a team-high six rebounds. Ella Hafer contributed 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
 
Wednesday's game against UAFS marks the 16th all-time meeting between the programs, with Arkansas-Fort Smith leading the series 12-3. Last season, RSU lost both contests to UAFS, narrowing the gap with a 69-63 loss in Claremore.
 
Saturday's rivalry game against NSU will be the 18th meeting, with the Hillcats looking to level the series, which stands at 9-8 in favor of the RiverHawks. RSU claimed a thrilling 64-61 victory at the Expo last season.
 
Looking ahead, Rogers State will host No. 13 Pittsburg State at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 and Missouri Southern at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 17. RSU lost both earlier matchups against the Gorillas and Lions on the road this season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Hillcat men's basketball (8-5, 2-2 MIAA) will host the No. 11 Lions on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and the RiverHawks on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
 
Rogers State opened the New Year with a bang, cruising to an 84-72 win over Newman on the road last week. The Hillcats dominated in the paint, scoring 52 points. Tim Jordan Jr. led RSU with a season-high 22 points, converting 8-of-10 field goals, while also adding six boards and two blocks. Andrew Mason matched a career-high 22 points, hitting 10-of-17 from the field and grabbing six rebounds.
 
Wednesday's game against Arkansas-Fort Smith marks the 15th all-time meeting between the programs, with the series tied at 7-7. The Hillcats claimed both games last season, including a 79-73 win in Claremore.
 
Saturday's game against in-state foe Northeastern State will be the 19th meeting, with RSU holding a 13-5 lead in the all-time series. The Hillcats have won five straight against NSU, including an 81-74 victory at the Expo last season.
 
Looking ahead, Rogers State will host Pittsburg State at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 and Missouri Southern at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 14. RSU fell to both the Gorillas and the Lions on the road earlier this season.