CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State women's basketball team opened the 2017-18 season with a 65-56 win over Western New Mexico on Friday (Nov. 10) at the Holiday Inn Express – Claremore Conference Challenge at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
After the first period ended tied at 8-8, the navy and red registered the first eight points in the second period to gain a 16-8 lead midway through the stanza. Lindsey Byfield started the spurt with a 3-pointer and free throws from Darian Jackson and Carlye Bohannan along with a layup from Kamry Chamberlain added to the 8-0 run. The Hillcats held a 25-18 advantage at the half.
 
To start the second half, RSU increased the lead to its largest margin of the game at 32-21 after a three from Chamberlain and two Lauren Schuldt free throws.
 
After a Jordan Evans layup made it 38-31 in favor of the Hillcats, the Mustangs went on a 10-2 run to take a 41-40 edge early in the fourth period.
 
Nikola Nedoroscikova helped the Cats gain control with a three-point play to make it 49-45 with 6:36 remaining. Four straight free throws from Schuldt and Nedoroscikova made it 53-47 with 5:19 left. The Hillcats kept control for the 65-56 victory.  
 
Schuldt posted a game-high 23 points, going 13-of-14 shooting from the free throw line. She added eight rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes. Carlye Bohannan added 10 points in 32 minutes.
 
The Hillcats shot 18-54 from the field for 33.3 percent. RSU tallied 25 points from the free throw line going 25-of-30 shooting for 83.3 percent from the line.
 
The Hillcats end the Holiday Inn Express – Claremore Conference Challenge with New Mexico Highlands tomorrow (Nov. 11) at 6 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center. Coverage will be available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.