FORT SMITH – UAFS out-scored Rogers State by 12 points in the fourth quarter to turn a two-point game into comfy lead as the Lady Lions pulled away for a 72-58 win on Thursday night to begin Heartland Conference play at the Stubblefield Center.
It was the second win in a row for the Lady Lions (5-3, 1-0), who will resume conference play against preseason league favorite and nationally-ranked Lubbock Christian at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, Texas.
The Lady Lions only led 50-48 going into the fourth quarter, but they shot a sizzling 89 percent from the field (8 of 9) and 71 percent from the free-throw line (5 of 7) in the final 10-minute stretch to post the win.
UAFS shot 52 percent from the field for the game (26 of 50) – it was 6-of-12 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 74 percent from the free-throw line (14 of 19). Four players scored in double-figures – junior forward Ellie Lehne (13), senior forward Tayla Taylor (13), sophomore guard Micayla Haynes (12) and junior guard Daijah Brown (10).
Taylor had a team-high six rebounds, but the Hillcats still out-rebounded the Lady Lions by 14 rebounds (38-24).
Rogers State (3-4, 0-1) shot 41 percent from the field (24 of 58) – it was just 2-of-15 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 73 percent from the free-throw line (8 of 11). Forward Darian Jackson had 18 points for the Hillcats, while forwards Lauren Schuldt and Jordan Evans had 12 points apiece.
Evans had a team-high seven rebounds.
WOMEN
UAFS 72, ROGERS STATE 58
Rogers State 10 15 23 10 — 58
UAFS 12 24 14 22 — 72
Rogers State (3-4, 0-1): Jackson 18, Schuldt 12, Evans 12, Nelson 6, Johnson 6, Nedoroscikova 3, McIntosh 1
UAFS (5-3, 1-0): Lehne 13, Taylor 13, Haynes 12, D. Brown 10, A. Brown 9, Hanson 8
