Rogers State Takes Down Lady Evangels, 84-65

The No. 15-ranked Rogers State University Hillcats used a big second half run to take total control of a close game and went on to defeat the Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels 84-65 in a Sooner Athletic Conference matchup Thursday evening (Feb. 7) inside the Gaulke Activity Center.

Following a three by Kourtni Williams that brought the Lady Evangels to within 44-41 at the 14:23 mark of the second half, the Hillcats blew the game open by outscoring the Lady Evangels 19-1 over the next five minutes for a 63-42 cushion.

Kelby Fritz keyed the spurt by scoring eight of the final 10 points of the surge.

After Parris Price stopped the run with a trey, the Hillcats scored the next seven points to put the game away.

The first half was nip and tuck throughout, featuring nine ties and nine lead changes.

Neither squad led by more than four at any point, with the Hillcats and Lady Evangels each enjoying a modest four-point edge.

Trailing 29-26, Sarah Martin hit a three to tie the score and a layup by April Williams put the Lady Evangels on top.

RSU's Taylor Jeffs and the Lady Evangels' Chelsea Key concluded the half by exchanging treys to fittingly tie the score at 34-34 heading into the locker room.

Williams made sure her double-figure scoring streak would continue by scoring 10 points in the opening 20 minutes.

Williams led the Lady Evangels with her 10th double-double of the season of 16 points and 11 rebounds. April Williams added career-highs of 15 points and seven boards and Sarah Martin chipped in with 11 points. Emilie Schirmer dished out a team-high five assists.

Ariani Silva led four Hillcats in double-figures with 19 points, while Rician Walker had 18 points, eight boards along with a game-high seven assists. Sierra Cornwell scored 14 and also had eight rebounds and Fritz added 11.

After being out-rebounded 26-19 by the Lady Evangels in the opening half, the Hillcats controlled the glass in the second half to the tune of a 27-12 margin.

The Lady Evangels will next wrap up their five-game homestand against Oklahoma Baptist University next Thursday evening (Feb. 14) at 6 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.