SHAWNEE, Okla. – The Rogers State women's basketball team cut a nine-point deficit to one point in the final minutes, but a buzzer-beating 3-pointer didn't fall to allow host Oklahoma Baptist to escape with a 73-71 win over the Hillcats on Saturday (Nov. 26) at the Noble Complex.
 
Junior Heather Roberts had a chance to get the win at the end, but her 3-pointer didn't fall at the buzzer. The Hillcats trailed by nine, 70-61 with just over four minutes remaining, however, the navy and red cut the deficit to only one at 72-71 with a 10-2 run. Senior Rachel Block started the spurt with back-to-back baskets, and Roberts put in two free throws with 1:49 left for a 70-67 score. After a Lady Bison hoop, Nikola Nedoroscikova hit a layup with 1:09 remaining for a 72-69 margin. Block added another layup with 28 seconds remaining for the 72-71 score. OBU made 1-of-2 free throws with 25 seconds left, giving RSU a chance with the last-second 3.
 
After trailing by a slight two points at 14-12 after one period, the Hillcats used a 9-2 run to gain their largest lead of the game at 37-33 after a 3-pointer from Kamry Chamnerlain with 32 seconds left before halftime. OBU hit a late 3 before the break for a 37-36 score at halftime.
 
Natasha Kindred went to work to start the second half with two consecutive layups for a 41-38 RSU advantage. After a jumper from the Lady Bison gave them a 50-49 lead, Roberts hit a 3 and was fouled. She completed the four-point play for a 53-50 edge with 1:51 remaining in the third stanza.
 
OBU ended the period with seven straight points to take a 57-53 lead. A 3-pointer tied the score and back-to-back layups upped the score to 57-53 after three periods.
 
To start the final period, Courtney Smith knocked down a 3, and Kindred scored inside for a slight 58-57 RSU advantage. The Lady Bison scored seven straight points to gain a 64-58 lead and increased the margin to nine, their largest lead of the game, at 70-61 before RSU rallied to one point down.
 
RSU shot 49.1 percent (26-53) from the field and 40 percent (8-20) from 3-point distance. In the second half, the navy and red finished at 50 percent (13-26). The Hillcats were 11-of-20 shooting from the free throw line for 55 percent.
 
OBU ended shooting 45.6 percent (26-57) from the field and 38.5 percent (5-13) from 3. Four starters hit double figures with Cameerah Graves at a team-high 15 points in 36 minutes. Aliyah White totaled a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Roberts scored a game-high 15 points with three triples in only 16 minutes. Nedoroscikova and Block added 11 points.
 
The Hillcats (2-4) return home to play Dallas Christian on Thursday (Dec. 1) at the Claremore Expo Center. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. with coverage available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.