CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State women's basketball team suffered a 63-55 loss to in-state rival Northeastern State as the visiting RiverHawks used a 19-2 second-half run to pull away on Wednesday (Nov. 14) at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
The Hillcats (1-2) took their largest lead of the game on a Ke'Aunna Johnson jumper midway through the third quarter for a 37-31 advantage over the visiting RiverHawks.
 
After going up 39-34 on two Alicia Brown free throws with 4:25 left in the third quarter, visiting NSU went on a 19-2 run over nine minutes to gain a 53-41 edge with 5:15 remaining in the contest. The spurt included a five minute stretch where the Hillcats were kept scoreless.
 
The RiverHawks tallied the final nine points of the third period to go up 43-39 after 30 minutes. Early in the fourth quarter, Lauren Schuldt cut the deficit to two points at 43-41, but NSU registered 10 straight points to put the game away at 53-41.
 
The navy and red closed to within three points with 2:25 on the clock as a Lindsey Byfield 3-pointer made it 56-53, but the RiverHawks scored on their next possession and made five free throws in the final 1:14 to take the victory.
 
Byfield came off the bench and scored a team-high 13 points, hitting 3-of-4 3-pointers. She added five rebounds and three assists. She was the only Hillcat in double figures. Schuldt posted eight points and eight rebounds.
 
Cenia Hayes posted a game-high 16 points for NSU.
 
For the game, RSU shot 37.3 percent (22-59) from the field and only 28.6 percent (2-7) from the free throw line. NSU finished at 38.9 percent (21-54) from the field and 42.1 percent (8-19) from 3.

The Hillcats continue their three-game homestand with Ecclesia on Saturday (Nov. 17) for homecoming. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. from the Claremore Expo Center. Coverage will be available on the Hillcat Network.