ROGERS — The Rogers High Lady Mounties have already clinched an eighth-straight trip to the Class 7A State Tournament. But they took a step back in the 7A/6A-West Conference championship race Friday.

Rogers shot just 24 percent from the floor and it lost the turnover and rebounding battle in a 31-29 loss to Fayetteville. The loss puts the Lady Mounties two games behind conference leader Bentonville with four games to play. Rogers is tied for second with crosstown rival Rogers Heritage and the Lady War Eagles currently hold the tiebreaker. The top two finishers get a first-round bye at the state tournament, which will be held in Fayetteville.

The Lady Tigers (21-2, 9-1) visit King Arena Tuesday night.

The Mounties jumped back in the postseason hunt after Tuesdays 55-53 overtime victory at Siloam Springs. Rogers, after losing at Fayetteville, may need to win three of its final four games to make an eighth straight state tournament appearance. Three of the Mounties final four games Bentonville, Heritage and Springdale Har-Ber are at home. The lone road trip is at Van Buren.

PLAY OF THE WEEK: Hunter Hill scored six points, Zach Jones added four points and a 3-pointer by Jake Killingsworth pushed Rogers to an early 13-3 lead on the road against Siloam Springs on Tuesday night.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Hill finished with 23 points against Siloam Springs while Jones tallied 20 points. Jones also had a team-high seven points against Fayetteville.

Libby Ganoung came off the bench against Fayetteville and scored seven points for the Lady Mounties. She hit her only 3-point attempt and made both free throw attempts.

NOTABLE: The Mounties 13-3 lead at the end of the first period against Siloam Springs was the first time they had a lead in a conference game going to the second period. ... Lady Mounties senior Hannah Hawley missed both games last week after suffering a sprained ankle in practice. She is expected to return for the Bentonville game.

THE LINGO: That early start against Siloam Springs gave us a lot of confidence. We said, Lets go put together three more. We were in a desperation mode fighting for our season. We came out with intensity, passion, and that was the difference in the game.

Wayne Herren

Rogers High boys coach

UP NEXT: Rogers hosts Bentonville on Tuesday and they travel to Van Buren on Friday.