CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State women's basketball team fell in conference play by a score of 70-62 to visiting Northwest Missouri State University on Saturday, at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
Junior Samariah Thompson led the way in scoring in the second-straight game for the Hillcats (0-2, 0-2MIAA), who fell in a closely fought battle with the Bearcats (1-1, 1-1 MIAA).
 
How it Happened: Senior Lilly Garner got the scoring started for the Hillcats to begin the game, as the two teams went back and forth to end the first quarter with a score of 16-13 in favor of the Bearcats.
 
The close contested contest would carry into the second quarter. Thompson would finish strong in the half after she hit a deep three-pointer to bring the Hillcats within one. The Hillcats would go into the locker trailing by a score of 31-30.
 
The two teams continued to battle in the third quarter, exchanging the lead multiple times before Northwest went in front late in the third. They would then hold onto the lead for the remainder of the game.
 
Key Statistics: The Bearcats would shoot 50 percent from the floor in the fourth quarter, including 67 percent from behind the arc, while the Hillcats were just 38 percent from the floor in the second half and 0-for-2 from three-point range in the final 10 minutes.
 
Players of Note: Sophomore Samariah Thompson finished the game with 24 points, shooting 5-for-16 from the field and 12-13 from the free-throw line. She also recorded seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
 
Junior Maya Buckhanon was in double figures for the second-straight game as she had 12 points, shooting 4-for-9 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free-throw line. She would also finish with three rebounds, one assist, and one block.
 
Junior Katrina Christian finished the game with six points, shooting 2-for-4 from the three-point line. She also recorded three rebounds and one assist.
 
Junior Vanessa Gajdosova had five points, shooting 3-for-4 from the free-throw line. She also recorded four rebounds, and one steal.
 
Up Next: Rogers State will have 12 days away from competition before returning after the Thanksgiving break for their first road test of the season. The Hillcats will travel to Pittsburgh, Kansas and take on the Gorillas in an MIAA showdown with tip off set for 5:30 p.m. at Whetzel Court inside John Lance Arena.