ROGERS — Rogers High girls basketball coach Preston Early leaned back, almost trying to will a Lady Mounties’ shot into the basket Tuesday night.

But the ball clanged off the back iron and Rogers Heritage cleared the rebound.

It was that kind of night for Rogers.

The Lady War Eagles kept their crosstown rivals out of rhythm offensively most of the night, holding Rogers scoreless over the final 2 minutes, 36 seconds, to claim a huge 44-33 7A/6A-West Conference victory at War Eagle Arena.

It was Heritage’s first-ever win over Rogers. The win also kept Heritage (15-4, 5-1 7A/6A-West) in a first-place tie in the league with Bentonville.

Heritage never trailed after the first quarter, but Taylor Strickland’s basket with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter pulled Rogers within 37-33.

However, the Lady Mounties (12-7, 4-2) did not score again. Heritage made 5-of-6 free throws in the final 1:08 to pull away for the victory. Ashley Ward led Heritage with 15 points, while Brittany Ward added 12.

Heritage coach Kevin Ramey said the victory was big for his program.

“It was huge,” Ramey said. “It’s the first time we’d ever done it. So it was good to kind of get that monkey off our back.”

Both Ramey and Early agreed Heritage’s defense was the difference. Rogers kept the Heritage offense out of synch in an earlier meeting this season won by the Lady Mounties. But Heritage turned up the pressure Tuesday night.

Strickland, who scored 37 in a win over Bentonville on Friday, led Rogers and shared game honors with 15 points.

Hannah Hawley was also in double figures with 13 for the Lady Mounties.

Heritage will now hit the road to take on Siloam Springs on Friday night. Rogers will take on Springdale Har-Ber.