CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State women's basketball (2-2) was able to hold off a second half charge from East Central (1-2) to claim the 61-51 win over the Tigers on Cherokee Nation Night at the Expo Center on Wednesday.
 
The Hillcats claimed their first-ever win over the ECU with the decision. Coming into the contest, RSU had never beaten the Tigers, with East Central winning the first four meetings between the two schools.
 
"I feel like the girls played well overall," said Head Coach Heather Davis. "However, we got complacent in the third quarter, and East Central was too good of a team and gave us a game. But our girls overcame the slow third quarter, and made enough plays in the fourth to win the game."
 
Alyza Aikins led the Hillcats in scoring with a career-high 17 points and added four steals, four rebounds and an assist. Emma Kay Martin put up 10 points with three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Jaiana Wiggins was a force to be reckoned with on defense, as she grabbed seven boards and blocked two shots. Kate Melton was efficient in passing with five assists.
 
RSU bolted out to a hot start with the help of ECU's nine turnovers in the first quarter. The Hillcats scored seven points in transition and held a 17-8 lead going into the second quarter.
 
In the final 10 minutes of the half, RSU cranked up the offense with 20 points in the second quarter, which tied a season-high for most points scored in one period. The Hillcats closed out the half on a 10-0 run and held ECU scoreless for the last 5:48 minutes, carrying a 37-19 advantage into the locker room.
 
ECU came out of the break on fire as they outscored the Hillcats 18-9 in the third quarter and got within single digits heading into the final quarter.
 
However, in the fourth quarter, RSU regained the momentum and did enough to put the game away and take the 61-51 victory. Aikins closed out the affair with the game's final six points.
 
RSU will return to the court on Saturday, Nov. 23 as they host Haskell inside the Claremore Expo Center. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m.