CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State women's basketball team's rally fell short against Wayland Baptist as the Hillcats fell 73-70 on Saturday afternoon at the Claremore Expo.

A bucket from long distance by senior Cortney Crockett cut the Flying Queens lead to three points with 34 seconds remaining in the game.  Erika Raymond gave WBU a four-point advantage after she made the front side of her double bonus free throws. Raymond missed the second shot from the stripe, allowing senior Candice Stewart to rebound the ball and passed it to junior Angie Criner who drove down the court and sunk a shot from long distance to put RSU within one point of the Flying Queens with eight seconds remaining. With three seconds remaining in the game the Cats were forced to foul. Jessen Tucker knocked down both of her free shots to seal the victory.

The Hillcats held a two-point advantage at the break despite trailing for most of the opening half. RSU took the lead with a made free throw by Candice Stewart. A Brittany Smith put-back off a Stewart free throw attempt increased the lead to three points. Jessen Tucker was fouled at the buzzer and hit the back side of her free throws to give RSU a 30-28 lead at intermission. Criner poured in 11 points in the first half while WBU post player Alex Williams scored a team-high 12 points.  The score was knotted four times in the first period with the Flying Queens largest lead of nine coming with 14 minutes to play.  

Criner scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Cats. Crockett was the only other RSU player to reach double figures with 14 points. Stewart pulled in 13 rebounds and nine points. The Hillcats edged WBU on the boards 42-41.  

Rogers State (11-6, 5-5) will return to the hardwood on Thursday as they welcome the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma to the Expo. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM and on RSU Public Television.