CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State Women's Basketball team fell in its Heartland Conference opener to Newman University 69-62 Thursday evening at the Claremore Expo Center.
The Hillcats (7-7, 0-1 Heartland) jumped out to a quick 10-3 lead in the first 4:09 but were unable to stretch the advantage despite leading for the majority of the first half. Rogers State took a 34-33 lead into the break.
After the two teams exchanged the lead five times through the opening 6:21 of the second half, the Jets (10-5, 1-0) broke a 47-47 tie with a 14-4 run carrying into the fourth quarter and the Hillcats were unable to answer back.
Lindsey Byfield and
Lauren Schuldt led the way for the Hillcats as the duo scored 14 points each. Byfield was 6-for-7 from the field with a three pointer. Byfield also had a pair of rebounds, two steals, two assists and a block in a season high 37 minutes.
Schuldt collected her second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season with 10 rebounds. The senior also had a pair of blocks and an assist.
Rogers State shot 43.4 percent for the contest, two points behind Newman, who shot 45.3 percent from the floor with eight triples.
The Hillcats outworked the Jets on the glass, leading in rebounds 36-26 but the big difference came in ball possession, as the Jets forced 20 turnovers from Rogers State, including 12 steals for the visitors.
Newman would convert turnovers into 26 points, while the Hillcats had just 16 points off turnovers from the Jets.
Ke'Aunna Johnson had nine points and four rebounds to lead the way for Rogers State off the bench in 13 minutes of action.
Azaria Floyd led the Hillcats with four assists to go along with seven points and a steal.
Alicia Brown was one board shy of matching her career high in rebounds on the night, finishing with seven. She also had five points, a block and a steal.
Rogers State will look to rebound on Saturday, as the Hillcats host the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith (4-10, 1-0) in Heartland Conference play. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center.
