CLAREMORE, Okla. - It was opening night for Rogers State University basketball and the Hillcats had to earn their first victory the hardway as they outlasted Oklahoma Wesleyan 61-57 at the Claremore Expo Thursday night.
 

RSU led by just one point with a minute to play before sophomore Yoda Woods grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 36 seconds left to make it 60-57. OWU had an open look at a three to tie the game but it wouldn't fall and the Hillcats held on for the first win in school history.
 

"We had big plays when we needed them tonight and that was the difference," said a relieved Coach Amy Williams, "I felt like I had to work way too hard for that first win. I felt like I played the game myself but we'll sure take it."
 

It was the first win for Williams as a head coach after working for a decade in an assistant's role.
 

Freshman Katie Rice scored the first basket in team history with 19:06 left to play in the first half on an assist from Hunter Peterson. It was a sign of things to come as Rice finished with a double-double, posting 12 points and 10 rebounds in the post.OWU answered on the other end of the floor with a bucket by Davia Seay to tie it at 2-2 before the Hillcats went on a run. RSU scored the next eight points and held a comfortable lead through the first 12 minutes of the contest.
 

Ashley Jones and Samantha Brant kept the Lady Eagles in the game with 17 first half points and closed the margin to three, 29-26, at the break.
 

OWU took control early in the second half. A trey by Michelle Matthews gave the Eagles their first lead, 36-34, with 16:58 left to play. Jones capped an 11-0 run with a jumper and suddenly OWU found itself with an eight point lead.
 

The Hillcats clawed their way back and eventually took a five point lead, 53-48, thanks to an 11-0 run capped by a Hunter Peterson three pointer and two made free throws by Hayley KnifeChief. RSU never relinquished the lead from that point and improved to 1-0 on the young season.
 

"I know that this group of kids won't give up," Williams said. "So even when we got down by eight I had confidence that they would buckle down and compete."
 

Rice and Woods both finished with a double-double for the Cats. Woods collected a game-high 14 rebounds while racking up 10 points. KnifeChief and Tasha Parker finished with eight points apiece.
 

The Hillcats return to the court on Saturday afternoon for RSU's first ever Homecoming celebration. Rogers State (1-0) will face a tough challenge in No. 14 Langston University at the Claremore Expo. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. and the game can be heard live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM. Thursday's game will be broadcast in tape delay form on RSU Public Television (Cox Cable Channel 19 in Claremore) on Friday evening at 10 p.m.