ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Rogers State women's basketball team rallied back in the final minutes to even the score, but a late free throw by Henderson State gave the home side a 49-48 win Saturday afternoon at Duke Wells Center.
Rachel Block scored eight of her career-high 22 points for the Hillcats in the fourth quarter, including a basket that put them ahead by three, 38-35.
Courtney Smith had a three-point try before the buzzer that would not fall, snapping a four-game win streak for the Cats.
RSU used an 8-1 run in the final four minutes to tie the game 48-48 on a layup from
Natasha Kindred. The Reddies' Dulincia Keener made one of two free throws with 23 seconds remaining in what proved to be the difference.
Block opened the game's scoring with one of her 10 made field goals and the Hillcats closed the opening quarter on a jumper by Kindred, who finished the afternoon with 16 points, leading 12-10.
HSU stopped a nearly five-minute scoring drought to match the score, 12-12, but it was RSU that controlled the second frame building a 24-18 lead at halftime.
Heather Roberts and
Carlye Bohannan closed the half with baskets for the Hillcats.
The Reddies started the third quarter scoring the first seven points to regain a 27-24 advantage and added an 8-1 run later in the stanza pushing their lead to seven. Kindred tallied the last four points for RSU as it entered the final quarter trailing 35-32.
Kindred helped the Hillcats to a quick 6-0 run beginning the final frame to jump back in front, 38-35 before HSU posted eight-straight points and hung on for the victory, 49-48.
Block and Kindred combined to score 38 of RSU's 48 points combining to shoot 18-of-34 from the floor. Keener led the Reddies with 19 points, while Brittany Branum and Victoria Stewart added 11 points each.
Rogers State (5-2 overall) begins the Heartland Conference portion of the schedule Dec. 17 facing UA Fort Smith at the Claremore Expo Center. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. and can be caught live on the Hillcat Network at
www.rsuhillcats.com/live.
