AUSTIN, Texas – The Rogers State women's basketball team couldn't overcome a 37-7 run in 20 minutes by the St. Edward's Hilltoppers falling, 63-51, on Thursday at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
It was a close contest to start. RSU scored first on a layup from Lindsay Byfield at the 8:25 mark of the first period. After a Hilltopper basket, Rachel Block put the Hillcats up again with a jumper for a 4-2 early advantage. Neither team could shake the other early with the lead staying within two for the first eight minutes.
 
RSU took a slight 15-14 lead after Block completed a three-point play with 2:48 left in the first quarter. She was fouled on a layup and put in the free throw for the 15-14 score. For the rest of the first half, SEU went on a 23-5 run to take a 37-20 advantage at the break. The Hilltoppers scored 12-straight points between the end of the first and start of the second period. Danielle Car ended the spurt with a three-pointer at the 6:31 mark of the second period. SEU scored nine more points in a row before RSU put in their second field goal of the period on a Kami Bunch jumper for a 35-20 score with 1:15 left before halftime. The Toppers added another basket for a 37-20 halftime score.
 
The second half started with another huge run from SEU. A 14-2 run in the first six minutes of the half pushed the margin to 51-22, totaling a 37-7 run in 20 minutes. Carr again ended the spurt with a three-pointer for a 51-25 score. The Hillcats responded to cut the deficit to 17 points at 54-27 after a triple from Heather Roberts.
 
The Hillcats clawed their way back to within 10 points at 61-51, but ran out of time in the 63-51 loss. Trailing 61-42 with 2:33 left, RSU went on a 9-0 run. Bunch hit four free throws and then Block put in a layup. Another Byfield trey made it 61-51 with 35 seconds remaining.
 
Bunch scored in double figures for the seventh straight game, totaling 10 points. She added a team-high four assists. Carr matched a career high with eight points in 16 minutes, hitting two three-pointers. Byfield also tallied eight points with two threes.
 
SEU's Shakera Barnes registered a game-high 22 points and seven assists. She added six rebounds.
 
The Hillcats (10-7 overall, 5-5 HC) end their four-game road trip on Saturday at Texas-Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. inside the Falcon Dome. Follow the action with live audio on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.