TULSA, Okla.- The Rogers State Women's Basketball team closed out their season on Friday with a 65-53 loss to the St. Edward's Hilltoppers in a quarterfinal match-up of the No. 4 and No. 5 teams in the Heartland Conference Women's Basketball Tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
 
RSU (14-14) was outscored in all but the second quarter of the game while struggling with the full-court press of the Hilltoppers (16-13).
 
After having lost to the Hillcats 84-81 and 59-56 during the regular season, St. Edward's head coach J.J. Riehl decided that a press was her team's best option defensively in the third meeting. 
 
"I thought our press really set the tone from the opening jump," said Riehl following her team's win. "I thought the press was really good and we were able to not let Rogers get a lot of rhythm in their offense."
 
St. Edward's ended the first quarter leading 20-8, with RSU shooting only 30% from the field. The pressure applied to the Hillcats clearly affected the team as senior Lauren Schuldt picked up two early fouls. Senior Lindsey Byfield injured her ankle in the first quarter in a scramble for a loose ball.
 
"We turned it over too many times," said first-year head coach Kyle Bent after the loss. "Wiith Lindsey (Byfield) kind of tweaking her ankle and only playing nine minutes – Lauren (Schuldt) fouling out, it affected us. But, St Edward's is a good team and their energy and intensity affected us."
 
For the game, the Hillcats turned the ball over 22 times. 
 
Junior guard Ke'Aunna Johnson led the team in points off the bench with 12, while senior guard Desiree Nelson scored 10 from her usual starting spot with three three-pointers.
 
With post presence Schuldt in foul trouble for most of the game, senior guard Carlye Bohannan and junior guard Azaria Floyd tied for the team lead in rebounds with six.
 
Although the season has ended for the Hillcats and five seniors, head coach Kyle Bent remained positive after the final whistle.
 
"I'm happy that we were able to win some games and have some highlights (this season)," said Bent with a smile. "We made some memories with them as they move on to their future endeavors."