CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State women's basketball team got off to a fast start and never looked back in a 75-57 victory over Rockhurst on Saturday (Dec. 15) at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
With the win, the Cats (5-6) won both games of their back-to-back weekend in dominating fashion after an 85-47 victory over Randall on Friday.
 
RSU totaled the first nine points of the contest and held a 20-8 margin after one period en route to the win. Lauren Schuldt opened the game with a layup, and a Desiree Nelson triple made it 5-0 less than three minutes into the game. Baskets by Alicia Brown and Azaria Floyd opened up the 9-0 edge with 6:25 left in the first quarter.
 
After the Hawks (4-4) cut the score to 11-5, Lilly Garner sank a 3-pointer, and Caryle Bohannan hit two jumpers to push the margin out to 18-5 with one mine left in the quarter. The Cats went on to lead 20-8 after one period.
 
In the third quarter, RSU extended the lead out to 19 points at 54-35 at the 2:40 mark on a free throw from Brown. The advantage grew to the largest of the game at 22 points when Ke'Aunna Johnson made a jumper with 4:02 remaining for a 69-47 score. The Hillcats went on to win 75-57.
 
Brown went off for a career-high 21 points and eight rebounds to pace the navy and red in scoring. Byfield poured in 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Schuldt pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
The navy and red shot 39.4 percent (26-66) from the field and hit 43.8 percent (7-16) from 3. The offense was efficient with only seven turnovers all game. RSU held a 43-32 advantage in rebounds.
 
Marisa Lowe led the Hawks with 15 points. Madeline Ronshausen added 11 points. Rockhurst hit only seven 3-pointers in the game, below its season average of 9.4 3s per game. The Hawks finished at 36.7 percent (18-49) from the field.  
 
The Hillcats continue their home stretch with Ouachita Baptist on Tuesday (Dec. 18) at 5:30 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center. Follow the action on the Hillcat Network and on 91.3 FM.