Claremore, Okla. -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels scrapped and clawed in their Sooner Athletic Conference opener, but eventually fell 79-70 at the No. 14-ranked Rogers State University Hillcats Saturday afternoon (Jan. 5) in Claremore, Okla.

The Lady Evangels fought their way to a 37-37 tie at the break, only to have the Hillcats open the second half with an 11-3 spurt as a three-point play by Sierra Cornwell and a bucket by Clarissa Cannon made it 51-40.

MACU wasn't going away though and a three by Sarah Martin cut the deficit to 57-52, but five straight points from Ariani Silva gave the Hillcats their largest lead to that point of 62-52 with 9:48 remaining.

After Parris Price brought the Lady Evangels back to within 72-67, the Hillcats scored the next five to stretch the lead back to double-digits with 36 seconds left.

The Lady Evangels got off to a rough start as the Hillcats jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead. 

Sarah Martin keyed the Lady Evangels' surge back with consecutive threes to cap a 14-3 run for a 16-12 advantage.

Logan Froese then scored eight points as the Hillcats went on a 15-4 run to go back in front 27-20 at the 9:15 mark of the first half.

The Lady Evangels (9-3) continued the back-and-forth first half as Martin again connected from long distance to cap an 11-2 run for a 31-29 lead with 5:55 left in the first half. 

Kourtni Williams led the Lady Evangels with a game-high 22 points and a team-best six rebounds.  Price scored 16 and recorded four assists, while Martin added 15 points and hit four-of-five from the field, all from beyond the arc.  Sabrina McKinney dished out a team-high six helpers.

Froese paced the Hillcats with a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards and Leah Smith added 15 points and eight rebounds.  Silva also reached double-digit scoring with 11 points.

The Lady Evangels will next play on Thursday evening (Jan. 10) at Wayland Baptist University.  Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. in Plainview, Texas.