CLAREMORE, Okla - Rogers State women's basketball (7-12, 1-9 MIAA) came up short against Nebraska-Kearney (15-3, 8-1 MIAA) 65-52 in a hard-fought game for three of the four quarters on Saturday.
 
"Our girls played hard for the most part, but UNK punched us in the mouth in the second," said Head Coach Heather Davis. "This unfortunately has been the story all season long. We can be a good team and have good moments, but one quarter of uncharacteristic play costs us. We have to figure out how to play a complete game and put all four quarters together to win a basketball game. I am proud of our girls coming out in the second half and they guarded so much better." 
 
Kate Melton led the team with 15 points, one point shy of a career-high, and shot 75 percent from the free throw line going 6-for-8 along with grabbing six rebounds. Ella Hafer recorded seven rebounds and three assists. Jaiana Wiggins blocked a shot. Emma Kay Martin helped RSU get stops with three steals as the Hillcats forced 16 total turnovers as a team. 
 
RSU locked down on defense early in the game, holding UNK to 1-for-10 from the field to start. They jumped out to a 12-4 lead with fast-break layups from Alyza Aikins and Hafer. The Hillcats were ahead 14-9 after the first period.
 
The second quarter saw the Lopers' offense find its groove, scoring 22 points. RSU struggled on offense and was held scoreless in the final 5:46 minutes of play. UNK closed the half on a 14-0 run to take a 31-21 lead into the break.
 
The Hillcats picked up the pace in the third quarter, going on a 6-0 run to open the half with Wiggins scoring two buckets in the paint. RSU cut the deficit to four points, but the Lopers continued hitting shots and built an 11-point lead coming down the home stretch. In the final quarter, UNK maintained the double-digit margin and left Claremore with the 65-52 win.
 
RSU is back in action as they travel to Emporia, Kan. to take on Emporia State on Thursday, Jan. 30. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.