AUSTIN, Texas – The Rogers State women's basketball team scored the opening seven points at St. Edward's, but the Hilltoppers rallied with a big second period to defeat the Hillcats, 67-61, on Saturday (Jan. 13) at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
RSU's (4-11, 0-4) Lauren Schuldt, Lindsey Byfield and Nikola Nedoroscikova combined to score the first seven points for an early 7-0 Hillcat advantage about two minutes into the game. Schuldt, who finished a perfect 9-for-9 from the field, scored on a jumper at the 8:54 mark and Byfield followed with a 3-pointer at 8:22 for a 5-0 score. Two free throws from Nedoroscikova upped the edge to 7-0 with 7:58 to go in the first period.
 
After the slow start, the Hilltoppers rallied to tie the score at 16-16 after one period. SEU then used a 9-2 run to open the second period and build a 25-17 edge with 8:07 left before halftime. The lead grew to as large as 10 at 36-26 after an Abby Hopper basket with 2:06 left, and the Hilltippers held a 38-31 margin at halftime.
 
In the second half, RSU pulled to within two points at 40-38 after a Darian Jackson layup with 6:04 remaining in the third period, but SEU hit a 3 to go back in front by five and increased the advantage to 53-46 after three periods.
 
The Cats hung close in the fourth period, however, the navy and red couldn't pull closer than three points as the Hilltoppers went on to win, 67-61.
 
Schuldt finished with a team-high 21 points as she was a perfect 9-for-9 shooting from the field. She added nine rebounds and two blocks. Nedoroscikova dished out a career-high eight assists that ranks No. 7 all-time in the RSU single game record book. Jackson went for 13 points and eight rebounds.
 
The Hillcats shot the ball well from the field, finishing 25-of-48 for 52.1 percent, their second-highest total this season. RSU, however, totaled 25 turnovers.
 
SEU's Bailey Hill posted a game-high 23 points, and Brooke Panfili added 12 points. The Hilltoppers shot 36.7 percent (22-60) from the field, but committed only 11 turnovers.
 
The Hillcats return home for four straight contests, starting with St. Mary's on Thursday (Jan. 18) at 5:30 p.m. inside the Claremore Expo Center. Coverage will be available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.