CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State women's basketball (9-12. 4-11 MIAA) dropped a heartbreaking 79-77 game against Emporia State (10-11, 7-8 MIAA) on Homecoming Saturday.
 
Four Hillcats finished in double figures on the day. Alayzha Knapp led the Hillcats with 19 points as well as two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Kylee Day put up a season-high 18 points with three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Kaya Goldsby added 13 points with a team-high eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Trinity Jackson contributed 10 points with five rebounds and an assist.
 
RSU started the game on fire as they controlled things early with an 8-5 lead in the first three minutes. After the Lady Hornets tied things at 8-8 with a three pointer, the Hillcats ripped off an 8-0 run over the next four possessions to go up 16-8. They eventually pushed out to a 25-14 lead and held a 26-17 margin headed into the second quarter.
 
ESU went to work trimming the deficit in the final 10 minutes of the half and eventually tied things at 31-31 just under halfway through the second quarter. Things grew tight in the final minutes with two lead changes and two ties. Things stayed knotted up at 38-38 going into the break.
 
RSU seemed to have the game back under control to start the second half as they went on a 9-1 run out of the locker room to go back up 47-39. However, the Lady Hornets answered with a 13-2 run to jump in front 52-49 with just under four minutes left in the period. They kept up the pressure and closed out the third quarter on a 9-4 run to go up 61-54.
 
The Hillcats refused to stay down as they started the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run of their own to bring things back even at 63-63. The two sides again traded shots over the next few minutes that ended with ESU stringing together a 7-0 run to push out to a 76-86 lead with 41 seconds left. Alayzha Knapp brought the deficit within five points at 76-71 after making three-straight free throws on a fouled three point attempt. Kylee Day also made all three free throws after being fouled on a shot with six seconds left, bringing the score to 77-74. After two made free throws on the other end, Day then drilled home a halfcourt buzzer beater to set the final score at 79-77 with the Hillcats just running out of time to complete the comeback.
 
RSU will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 10 as they travel to Tahlequah, Okla. to face off against rival Northeastern State. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m.