CLAREMORE, Okla. (Feb. 5, 2009) – Oklahoma Christian University never led, but never trailed by more than nine points in a 55-52 setback at Rogers State University (Okla.) on Thursday night.

The Lady Eagles (13-10, 6-9 SAC) shot better than their season of average of 42 percent, although by the slightest of margins, with an 18-of-42 43-percent outing. Oklahoma Christian's defense held Rogers State (14-9, 8-7 SAC) to 43 percent at 20-of-47.

Brittney Kennedy paced the Lady Eagles with 13 points after going 4-of-5 from the field and 5-of-5 at the foul line. Lisa Chenoweth had 10 points to go with two assists and three steals.

Kelsey Kniffin – making just her second college start – helped the Lady Eagles stay close with two three pointers in the early going on Thursday. When the freshman rattled in a triple at the 13:22 mark, the score was 13-11 RSU.

The Hillcats never led by more than nine points (20-11) in the half as both teams went cold from the field to close the period. The Lady Eagles outscored RSU 6-4 in the final 6:46 to go to the locker room trailing 26-21.

Twelve of OC's 21 points came from behind the three-point line in the opening half, where they made 4-of-9 tries. But the Lady Eagles were just 7-of-21 (33 percent) total from the field compared to a 12-of-24 (50 percent) effort from RSU.

Kennedy scored right out of the gate to bring OC within three at 26-23, but RSU held OC at bay and extended its lead back to as high as eight points.

Then Kailan DeCamp scored four points in 30 seconds to make it a one-point game with 9:28 left. The Coweta, Okla., native hit a pullup jump shot that made it 39-38.

But a six-plus minute scoring drought ensued that let the Hillcats stay on top.

Lindsey Gipson finally broke the streak with two free throws at the 3:19 mark that made it 46-40. The Lady Eagles cut the deficit to four points three times in the final minute, but the Hillcats had an answer each time to remain on the high side.

Chenoweth buried a trey with one second left to bring the final tally to 55-52.

Kniffin finished with eight points, while Gipson and Hillary Duncan had five apiece. Katie Rice (16 points) and Azzie Knox (14 points) were RSU's top scorers.

OC is through its three-game road trip and returns home on Saturday night to host John Brown (Ark.) at 6 p.m.

-OC-