LAREDO, Texas – The Rogers State women's basketball team suffered its first Heartland Conference loss, falling 73-64 in overtime at Texas A&M International at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for RSU as they fell to 3-1 in the Heartland Conference.
Rachel Block forced overtime as she hit an 18-foot jumper over two defenders at the buzzer to tie the score at 54-54.
In the overtime period,
Natasha Kindred put RSU up, 56-54, on a layup at the 4:28 mark. After a Dustdevil basket, Kindred again put the Hillcats up with a layup. This time she scored with 3:47 remaining for a 58-56 score.
TAMIU responded with a quick three-pointer from Jessica Prieto to gain a 59-58 advantage with 3:32 left. Prieto hit again from three at the 1:41 mark for a 63-58 score, and the threes kept falling for the Dustdevils as Keiona Mathews put in a triple for a 66-60 edge with 1 minute remaining.
Kindred and
Kami Bunch each scored late baskets; however, TAMIU went 6-for-6 shooting in the final 16 seconds to hold off the Hillcats for the 73-64 score.
In a high scoring overtime period, TAMIU totaled 19 points in five minutes, more points than any of the four periods of regulation. The Hillcats tallied 10 points in overtime.
Trailing 35-27 at the half, RSU used a strong end of the third quarter to pull to within two at 45-43.
Heather Roberts was fouled on a three-pointer, and she hit all three free throws with 39 seconds left for a 45-40 deficit. Kindred put in a layup and was fouled with five seconds left in the quarter. Her free throw made it 45-43 at the end of three periods.
The run continued in the third quarter as
Madison Dearmin connected on two free throws to tie the score at 45-45.
Rachel Block gave RSU their first lead since late in the first quarter on a layup for a 51-49 score with 3:41 left in the fourth quarter. She upped the lead to 52-49 with one free throw with 3:22 left.
Two free throws pulled the Dustdevils to within one with 2:55 left in regulation. Mathews scored with 1:30 remaining to put TAMIU in front, 53-52. She made one free throw with three seconds left in fourth quarter for a 54-52 score, but Block forced overtime with the contested jumper at the buzzer of regulation.
Kindred scored a career-high 20 points, going 8-for-13 shooting from the field. She added a game-high eight rebounds. Bunch totaled 14 points to hit double figures for the third time in the last four games. She finished with a team-high five assists.
TAMIU's Prieto tallied 31 points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks. She played all 45 minutes. Mathews registered 25 points and a game-high eight rebounds and also played all 45 minutes.
The Hillcats (8-3, 3-1 HC) continue their road trip on Saturday at St. Mary's. The Heartland Conference matchup is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio, Texas. Listen to it live on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live
