CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State faced a tough challenge in its second game of the season and the Hillcats gave No. 14 Langston University all it could handle before falling, 73-68, at the Claremore Expo Center Saturday afternoon.
 

The Hillcats erased a 10-point second half deficit and trailed 59-58 with 4:33 remaining in the game after freshman Haley KnifeChief completed a three point play. Jamie Skinner answered for the Lady Lions at the other end but KnifeChief came roaring back with a nifty drive to the hoop. The Claremore High School graduate finished with a game-high 21 points.

RSU kept it a one possession game until the final minute when Dominique Thomas stole an inbounds pass and scored a pivotal basket for Langston to make it 67-62. The Lady Lions knocked down five free throws in the final seconds to hold on for the win and spoil Homecoming for the Hillcats. 

Rogers State suffered its first loss after picking up its first win on Thursday night. However, on Saturday the Hillcats played right with an experienced Langston team that reached the NAIA national tournament a year ago. RSU trailed 40-38 at the half after receiving a big lift from Andrea Robinson off the bench. Robinson knocked down 4-of-5 shots, including two threes, to post 11 first half points. The Hillcat bench outscored Langston 38-to-15 for the game.

The Lady Lions made a surge with seven minutes to play in the game and built a 59-49 advantage on back-to-back buckets by Latesha Calton and Jenissa Harris. KnifeChief willed the Cats back into the game by scoring seven of the next nine points. The Hillcats benefited from solid interior play by Yoda Woods and Katie Rice for the second consecutive game. Woods finished with nine points and eight rebounds while Rice scored 10 and grabbed four boards.

Rogers State (1-1) will take the next six days off before traveling to Salina, Kan. The Hillcats will participate in the Kansas Wesleyan Classic on Friday and Saturday. RSU will face KWU on Friday at 6 p.m. and Bethany College on Saturday at 2 p.m. Both games can be heard live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.