KEARNEY, Neb. – Rogers State women's basketball (10-15, 6-13 MIAA) fought hard but came up short against Nebraska-Kearney (19-5, 14-4 MIAA) in the 70-62 regular season road finale on Saturday.

Three Hillcats finished in double figures. Vanessa Gajdosova led all scorers with 19 points in addition to four rebounds and three assists. Bailey Kliewer put up 14 points with a team-high six rebounds and two steals. Jordan Lewis contributed 13 points with a team-high four assists as well as three rebounds and a steal.

The opening quarter was extremely close with both teams trading points for the entire period. After UNK went up 5-2 to start the game, the Hillcats answered with an 8-0 run to take their first and largest lead at 10-5. They were able to hang on to the advantage and carried a 17-16 lead into the final 10 minutes of the half.

Things remained tight in the second quarter with seven lead changes. The two sides went back and forth, matching each other shot for shot, until the Lopers put together a 9-3 run to close out the half and take a 32-27 lead into the locker rooms.

In the second half, the Hillcats could not crack the deficit as UNK had an answer every time RSU got close. The Hillcats were able to trim the lead to two points several times in the final 20 minutes, but could never get over the hump to regain the lead. Up 65-62 with under a minute left, the Lopers put the game away with made free throws down the stretch to a take the 70-62 victory.

RSU will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 16 as they return home to the Claremore Expo Center to face off against Central Oklahoma.