Box Score CLAREMORE, Okla. – Three Hilltoppers scored in double figures as they fell short in a second half comeback attempt to Rogers State, 98-80 Thursday evening at the Claremore Expo Center. St. Edward's falls to 11-5 overall (6-4 HC). The Hilltoppers split with the Heartland Conference newcomer this season, with each team winning on their home court.
 
Head coach J.J. Riehl commented on the game, "You've got to show your ready to play every game in this league, especially on the road. This conference is not easy and if you don't bring it mentally, emotionally, and physically, things aren't going to turn out well."
 
The high-scoring contest started with both squads scoring at will, until Rogers State took a 19-14 lead with just under 14 minutes to play in the half. Over the next two minutes, the Hillcats jumped out to a 27-17 lead. STEPHANIE DEKKERS knocked down a three-point basket, but the Hilltoppers couldn't stop the Hillcat offense as they responded with 10-6 run.
 
MADDIE WHEELER scored a long-range three pointer to cut into the lead, but it was Rogers State that went into the break with a comfortable 15-point lead, 50-35.
 
The start of the second half continued much like the first, with St. Edward's digging themselves into a deeper hole facing a 19-point deficit with 17 minutes to go in the contest. It was at that point that the Hilltoppers came together and slowly started chipping away at the lead.
 
Wheeler and CASEY RILEY knocked down back-to-back shots from downtown to trim the lead to 11 points, 64-53. KATHLEEN BRISBANE scored a layup at the 13-minute mark to cut the lead to single digits. Rousculp went on to score the next five points and suddenly, St. Edward's was only down by four, 66-62 with 11:56 left in the game.
 
Rogers State broke the run with a jumper, but Wheeler responded with one of her five three-point field goals. The shot put St. Edward's down 68-65. Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers, this would be as close as they would come to closing the gap. The Hillcats responded with a 13-2 run and would never look back as they defeated the Hilltoppers 98-80.
 
"I appreciate and respect our fight in the second half, cutting it to three points, but the hole was too big to overcome," said Riehl.
 
Wheeler led St. Edward's with 22 points, shooting 40% from the field and 45% from three-point land. Rousculp followed with another double-double performance scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. STEPHANIE DEKKERS was the other Hilltopper in double figures with 12 points and five assists. Brisbane added nine points and four assists. CASEY RILEY chipped in seven points off the bench.
 
Riehl closed her statement, "We will regroup and get ready to play on Saturday. Whether it's good or bad, that's the thing about this sport, the quick turnaround means you've got to have short term memory loss."
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to Fort Smith, Ark. to take on conference foe Arkansas Fort Smith. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at the Stubblefield Center on the Arkansas Fort Smith campus. Live video and stats will be available through the Lion Athletic Website.