January 29, 2026-The Lady Hornets started out hot but a 13-0 Hillcat run to end the third quarter would give Rogers State the momentum for a 70-57 win on Thursday night in Claremore, Okla.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Hornets used a 9-0 run to take a 13-2 lead to start the game and would lead by as many as 14 points in the opening period.  A three-pointer with two seconds left put the Hillcats into double figures as ESU lead 21-10 after one.
Emporia State would go on a 4:15 scoring drought in the second period but Rogers State could only get within eight points at 29-21 with 3:31 left in the half. The Lady Hornets pushed the lead back to 14 at 35-21 with 1:44 left in the period. The Hillcats ended the half on a 9-1 run over the final 1:27 as ESU took a 37-26 lead to the break.
The Lady Hornets led 48-39 when Vanessa Coleman hit the second of two free throws with 2:44 left in the third.  The Hillcats would score the final 13 points of the period and the first four of the fourth to take a 56-48 lead with 8:02 remaining. Micah Hanna would finally stop the run with a put back at the 7:33 mark but an old fashioned three-point play by Samantha Shanks put the Hillcats back in front 59-50 with 7:12 left.  Emporia State would not get closer than seven points the rest of the game.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Mace Gandee led Emporia State with 15 points and ten rebounds for her second double-double of the season.  She was joined in double figures by Gracie Gilpin with 11 points.
The Lady Hornets outrebounded the Hillcats 45-31 but had 19 turnovers that led to 23 RSU points.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Hornets will wrap up their four game road trip on Saturday at Central Oklahoma.  Tip-off from Hamilton Fieldhouse in Edmond, Okla. is set for 1:30 p.m.