JOPLIN, Mo. - Rogers State women's basketball (7-10, 1-7 MIAA) trailed by as many as 16 points at Missouri Southern (13-7, 5-3 MIAA), but came roaring back in the second half to force overtime. Unfortunately, the Hillcats came up short 78-75 in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday.
"I am super proud of our team; we competed our tails off," said head coach
Heather Davis. "We clawed back and executed extremely well in the second half to get back into the game. I told our girls to keep their heads up and that I am so proud of their efforts. I am especially proud of
Kate Melton because she did not look like a freshman point guard and continues to grow up every day. Ella also competed her tail off and I didn't realize I played her 37 minutes, even though she was feeling a little under the weather."
Ella Hafer had an incredible game and posted her fifth double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds in her hometown, adding a block and a steal.
Kate Melton put up 16 points and recorded five rebounds, three assists and a block.
Alyza Aikins scored 12 points and was 2-for-3 from deep with five boards.
Jaiana Wiggins caused problems for MSSU, as she snagged nine rebounds and blocked two shots.
In the first quarter, both teams defended well early, but the Lions hit some shots to help them build a 21-14 lead going into the second quarter. MSSU kept up the intensity in the second quarter, as they scored 20 points, and held RSU to 11 points to build to a 25-41 advantage at the half.
RSU flipped the script in the second half and outscored the Lions 22-16 in the third quarter. The Hillcats opened the half on an 8-3 run, with Hafer scoring the first five points and Melton hitting one from downtown to get within 10 at 43-33. RSU kept pace with MSSU going on a massive 12-5 run midway through the period. The Hillcats got within one possession at 48-45 thanks to a deep shot from Melton with 3:15 left. However, the Lions responded with a 9-2 run to close out the period, pushing back out to a 57-47 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
RSU once again clawed its way back into the game and matched their third-quarter total with another 22 points. The Hillcats engineered an 11-4 run to get within a possession in the first four and a half minutes of the fourth quarter.
Isabella Stafford hit a contested jump shot to get RSU within a point two minutes later. With 59 seconds to play, Aikins made a 3-pointer to tie the game at 67-67. On the next possession, she dove on the floor for a steal to give RSU the ball back. Hafer gave RSU a 69-67 lead with a pair of made free throws after being fouled on the change of possession. However, the Lions were able to force overtime with a 3-pointer to tie it at 69 with less than 30 seconds to play.
In overtime, RSU jumped back in front when Hafer drained a shot to make it 73-72 with 2:20 to play. The Hillcats built out a 75-73 lead when Wiggins hit a layup a minute later. With the game deadlocked again at 73-73, RSU was able to steal an inbound pass from MSSU with 19 seconds left, but an unfortunate turnover and foul sent the Lions to free throw line where they closed out the game with three made shots to claim the 78-75 win.
The Hillcats finally return home to the Claremore Expo Center after a four-game road trip on Thursday, Jan. 23, hosting No. 7 Fort Hays State. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
