CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State's bid to knock off fifth-ranked Oklahoma Baptist came up short as the Lady Bison ran away from the Hillcats in the closing minutes for a 70-54 victory Saturday at the Claremore Expo.
 

The Hillcats scratched their way back from a 17-point deficit to take a one-point lead in the second half. However, the Bison outscored the Cats 31-14 over the final 13 minutes to secure the win and keep their perfect conference record intact.
 

OBU surged to a 27-10 lead with an 11-1 run midway through the first half. RSU sophomore Logan Froese scored a bucket right before the half to cut the lead to 12. The Hillcats managed just seven field goals in the first half while the Bison shot 50 percent from the floor.
 

RSU opened the second period on a 9-0 run. Yoda Woods dropped in back-to-back buckets in the paint to make it a three-point game. Hunter Peterson drilled a trey to cut the deficit to one and Jenny Hardin gave the Hillcats the lead with 13:14 to play.
 

Gabriell Mattox answered immediately with a hoop on the other end of the floor and the Bison held on to the lead the rest of the way. Mattox finished with 16 points on 8 of 8 shooting.
 

RSU's shooting woes continued in the second half. The Cats converted only one 3-point basket on the night a shot 30 percent from the floor. OBU caught fire late in the game and shot a sizzling 70 percent in the second half. Taujhnae Travis joined Mattox with 16 points while Val Siemens added 13.
 

Hardin led the Hillcats with 17 points. RSU held a decisive advantage on the glass with 40 rebounds, including 20 offensive boards. Woods grabbed a game-high eight rebounds and also chipped in with 11 points. 
 

Rogers State (13-4, 5-4) suffered its fifth straight loss to Oklahoma Baptist while the Bison improved to 16-1 overall. The Hillcats will endure another tough test against a ranked opponent when they travel to No. 20 Southern Nazarene Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be carried live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM.